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OF THE LATE 



REV. THOMAS SCOTT, D. D. 

(author of the commentarv on the holy bible,) 



WITH OCCASIONAL OBSERVATIONS. 



BY JOHN SCOTT,. A. M. 

yiCAR or NOETH FERRIBY, AND MINISTER OF ST. MARY'S, HULL. 



TO WHICH IS ADDED 



SCOTT'S FORCE OF TRUTH, 



NEW-HAVEN: 

PRrrfTED AND PUBLISHED BY NATHAN WHITINGl, 

1826, 



k. 






\ 




I 






PREFACE. 



In presenting this volume to the public, I cannot but 
acknowledge with lively gratitude the manner in which 
the account that I was enabled to give of the Author's 
life has been received. This has been such as to in- 
spire the hope that that work may prove extensively 
useful, both directly in itself, and indirectly by exciting 
a fresh, and, in many instances, a more unprejudiced 
attention to his numerous writings. 

At the same time I am sensible that the success of 
my former volume may not unnaturally produce some 
feelings of distrust with regard to the present. An ap- 
prehension may arise, that I have been induced to col- 
lect and print, without sufficient discrimination, what- 
ever had fallen from the pen of one to whom the reli- 
gious public has shewn so marked a regard. Such an 
apprehension, if it exist, can be removed only by the 
work itself. I feel, however, a considerable degree of 
confidence, that the present publication will be not on- 
ly excused but approved. I do not take upon me to 
affirm that every letter and every paper, here printed, 
might, when taken alone, have merited such a distinc- 
tion ; but I do trust that, viewed altogether, the con- 
tents of the volume will be found both interesting and 
useful, and in many parts Irighly valuable. 

Before I close these prefator3^ remarks I would ad- 
vert to a subject of somewhat greater importance. I 



am aware of one and only one use, or rather pcrvcr-*- 
sion, which has been made of my Father's Life, thai 
gives me any concern. It has been adduced, by wri- 
ters not very correct, indeed, or careful in what they 
advance, as furnishing proof positive of the immoral 
tendency of evangelical or Calvinistic doctrines, (for r 
the terms seem now to be used promiscuously,) and of 
the antinomian character, generally, of those who are 
called professors of evangelical religion. *' We have 
here," it has been said, " the testimony of the great- 
est saint in their calendar against themselves." And 
it may be the more proper briefly to notice the subject 
in this place, because the present work may perhaps 
be considered as adding to that testimony. 

That my Father was of opinion that much antinomi- 
an practice, in a sense which was with some care ex- 
plained in his Life,^ and many sentiments tending to 
antinomianism, were found among the evangelical 
body, is readily admitted and openly avowed. But, 
to avail for the purpose desired, this charge, thus pro- 
fessedly brought on his authority, ought to mean, that 
this description of persons is mare antinomian than oth- 
er classes of professed Christians ; and in fact that their 
antinomianism arises from the legitimate use, and not 
from the abuse, of what are called evangelical doc- 
trines, properh^ stated. But neither of these positions 
is supported by his evidence. That the latter of them 
is directly contrary to the truth, it was the employment 
of his life to demonstrate. And that the former was 
by no means his intention, was sufficiently pointed out 
in the Life itself, for the satisfaction of the candid and 

^ See pp. 145,441,442. 



PREFACE. V 

careful reader. *' His complaint," it was there ex- 
pressly observed, "was not that persons embracing 
these doctrines were worse than others, but that many 
of them were found by no means so much better than 
others, as he was convinced their principles ought to 
have made them."'^ 

In short it may be justly said that he had respect to 
the rule implied in the interrogato ies of the Apostle, 
What have I to do to judge them that are ivithout? Do 
not ye judge them that are ivithin ? He spoke openly 
and honestly of the faults of those with whom he was 
more immediately connected, in Christian charity seek- 
ing their improvement: and in this particular view he 
concerned not himself with others. If, therefore, we 
would ascertain the comparative character of that class 
of persons, and the tendency and effect of their princi- 
ples upon the whole, according to his judgment, we 
should inquire, in connexion with what he has written 
concerning them. How would such a man — one of so 
high and holy views^ and of such keen discernment of 
error — of its causes and its consequences— -have spo- 
ken, had he been called to report on the state of the 
«?i^i-evangelical world ? — that part of it, I especially 
mean, which brings such charges as we are consider- 
ing^ And I cannot hesitate to answer, that he would 
have said, '' Ye have utterly taken away the key of 
knowledge — of the just knowledge of God's holiness — 
of man's real condition— -and of what is required of 
him. Ye have made the law of God of none effect 
through your relaxed interpretations. Ye have re- 
moved the true standard of duty, and substituted for it 



k 



* Life, p. 145. 
1* 



VI PREFACE, 

an infinitely lower and looser rule. Ye are to be num- 
bered therefore among the abbettors of the most wide- 
spread, though least suspected, of all species of anti- 
nomianism." That these would have corresponded 
with his actual sentiments will appear from a few ex- 
tracts which I shall subjoin, in which he declares what 
he really thought of the evangelical body as compared 
with other professed Christians : whereas^ in the pas- 
sages of which advantage has been taken, he was speak- 
ing of them as compared with the purity of genuine 
Christianity in principle and practice. 

In a quotation, inserted in the Life,* from probably 
the most studied of all his printed sermons, he says, 
" Perhaps speculating antinomians abound most among 
professed Calvinists, but antinomians whose sentiments 
influence their practice, are innumerable among Armi- 
nians. Does the reader doubt this ? Let hira ask any 
of those multitudes who trample on God's command- 
ments, what they think of Calvinistic doctrines, " and 
he will find that this is undeniably true : for all these, 
in various ways, take occasion from the mercy of God 
to encourage themselves in impenitent wickedness" — 
which is the very essence of antinomianism. 

The following passages are from his answer to the 
" Refutation of Calvinism." 

*' In populous places, where In this land, preachers 
of ever}^ kind are at present found, there will, no doubt, 
be men who adopt the wildest notions, and disgrace the 
truths which they profess, with the vilest condoct. 
They who pay sufficient attention to the subject will 
find that this is the grief and distress of numbers, and 

* Page 145. 



PREFACE* ni 



especially of ministers, who, agreeing in some points 
of doctrine with these entlmsiasts and antinomians, (for 
we cannot give up the truth, because professed and 
perverted by wicked men,) are by superficial observers, 
and such as only behold the company from a distance, 
classed with the very persons whom they mourn over, 
and protest against, and oppose by every scriptural 
method in their power. But, after every deduction, it 
may confidently be averred, that the stated congrega- 
tions, and especially the communicants, at those church- 
es or chapels in which the evangelical clergy officiate, 
^re by far the most strictly moral part of the establish- 
ed church, in respect of exemption from gross vices ; 
and, further, that they exert themselves in endeavor- 
ing to relieve the distresses of the poor, to instruct their 
children, and to forward every good work, with more 
decided diligence, earnestness, and liberality, than are 
generally manifested among their opponents. And I 
appeal to every candid observer, who differs from me 
in religious sentiments, but who has carefully compared 
our parishes and congregations with other parishes 
and congregations, whether this be not true and indis- 
putable!" 

Again : *' What a lamentable thing is it, that in eve- 
ry age there should be great numbers to whom this de- 
scription^ in some sense may be applied ! They as- 
sent to the truth of Christianity in general, and to many 
of its doctrines : thej'' are not infidels ; they have a no- 
tional faith, but they are wicked men ; that is, they 
live in the habitual practice of sin, and neglect of their 
duty to God and man, and are worldly, ungodly, and 

* The wicked who have faith : fiddium i*mguoru?n." Augustine. 



Vlll PREFACE. 

selfish, in their whole conduct. There are, no doubt, 
many of this description among Calvinists ; but there 
is at least as large a proportion among Anticalvinists ; 
and especiall}^ among those who oppose the doctrine 
of justification by faith, and salvation by grace alone. 
They profess to depend on good works^ yet neglect to 
practise them ; as if the very scarcity of them w^ould 
enhance their value ! Yet they encourage themselves 
in this strange inconsistent course of life, by a presump- 
tuous reliance on the mercy of God ; and soothe their 
consciences by the idea, that, as professed Christians, 
they shall not be judged by the strict and holy law of 
God, but by some milder and more pliable rule ! What 
millions of these antinomian professors of Christianity 
are there at this day in the visible church." 

These, be it observed, are antinomians not upon an 
evangelical foundation. He shortly after adds, on the 
words, '' Presume not on the mercy of God to sin" 
&c. : '* I may be bold to say, that Great-Britain pro- 
duces no set of men who more decidedly, particularly, 
and constantly testify against this perversion of the 
gospel, and every variety of it, by sermons, and publi- 
cations of various kinds, than the evangelical clergy. 
It would be easy to prove this by quotations : but the 
appeal is made to onr printed w^orks in general," 

May 6, 1824. 



CONTENTS. 



Page. 

1. Early Letters: 1773—1776, — On tb6 choice of a husband, 13 
London, - - - - - - -18 

On. expensive habits, - _ - - - - 22 

i:, B , Esq. - - - - - 23 

IL Letters to Mrs. Scott's Brother-in-law : 1778 — 1785, 25 

On reading the Scriptures and Prayer, - - - 26 

All iinatvakened state of mind, - - - - - 28 

Conviction of sin, — '' What must I do to be s^ved r" - 29 

Christian experience, — On Prayer, - - - 31 

Hindrances to prayer, . . > - 33 

Snares of the world, ----- 35 

Drawing back. -- - - - --86 

Eternity, — Reproach for Christ's sake, - - - 37 

Folly of irreligion, ----- 38 

•Birth of a child, - - - - - -40,41 

'' Taking up our cross," - - - - 40 

Self-examination, — Hindrances to being religious, - 42 

Provisions of the Gospel, - - . - 43 

Enmity to the Gospel, — Conversion, - - - 44 

Observations on this series of letters, - - - 45 

III. Letters to the sisters of the preceding correspondent : 

1783 — 1784 Visit to Lincolnshire — Illness, - - 46 

Alternate trials and consolations, - - - - 47 

Knowledge of pardon, — Witness of the Spirit,— Enthusiasm, . 48 

Evidences of acceptance with God, - - - 50 

Concern for relatives — Submission to God, - - 5t 

IV. Letters to Mr. Scott's sisters, 1778 — 1797, - - 53 
Earthly comforts, - - - - - ib. 
Deadncss to the world, - - . , - 54 
Happiness of religion, - - - . -. 54, 57 
Universal influence of religion — Death, - - 55 
Religious conduct of business, - - - - 58 
Substitutes for religion, - - - - - 59 
Death of Mr. Webster, . . - - . 60 
Lessons from affliction, - - - - - 61 
Teaching of the Holy Spirit, — Numerous deaths, - - 64 
A kind providence, — Christian convict, - - - 66 
Christian humility, - - - . - - - 67 
Christian confidence, ----- 68 
Being ^' born again," - - - - - 69 
Intermeddling in politics, - - , . 70 
Obtruding religious admonition, — Death of Mrs. Webster's 

daughter, - - - - - - - - -71 

Y. Letters to a niece : 1787 — 1788„ - -- - 74 

Running into extremes, — His own ministry, - - ib. 

The Lock, - - - ^ "^ - - 75 

Eff'ects of his labours in Bucks, - - - - 76 

Living of Braytoft, - - - - - - 77 

His situation in London, - - - . 78 

The Lock Asylum, — Defects of the prevailing religion, - 79 

His Commentary, .. _ ^ - , 80 



% CONTENTS. 

VI. Letters TO THE Rev. J. Campbell : 1789 — 1793, - 81 
Mr. Campbell's notices of Mr. Scott, - - - ib. 
Socinian Commentary, . - - - 82 
Preparation for heaven, - ... - - 84 
French Revolution, . . - . - 85 
Public Affairs, — Tract on the duty of Subjects, - - 86 

VII. Letters to the Rev. Dr. Ryland : 1787 — 1797, 88 
Extent of Christ's atonement, - - - 88, 92 
Controversy, - _ . . . 89 
Buckinghamshire, - - - - - - 90 

Rev. Dr. Carey of Serampore, — Lock Asylum, - - Si 

Popularity, ..-.-- 92 

Mr. Hunfington, — Text Books, - - - - 93 

Fuller on Socinianism — Dr. Hopkins — Disinterested love^ 94 

The Pilg-rim's Progress, — Missionaries, - - - 95 

Consistency — American and British Theolog-y, - 96 

Theological speculation, - - - - 97 

Being wise above what is written, - - - 98 

Dr. Hopkins — Means of Regeneration — Brainerd and Edwards, 99 
Experiences, - - - - - - 100 

V^III. Letters TO the editor: 1796 — 1803, - - 102 

Treatment of fallen religious professors, - - 102 — 108 

State of religious profession, - - - 108 

College Fellowships, .... 109—111 
Public affairs — training to arms, . - - HI — 113 

Sunday Drilling, - - - - - 114 

London and Church Missionary Societies, - 115, 116 

IX. Letters to a Friend in Scotland : 1794 — 1811, - 117 

Rem.arks of this Correspondent, - - ib. 

The Divine Decrees, - - - - 118— 12^ 

Disagreement among Christians, ... 122 

Missions, - - - - - - 124 

View of Religion in England, - - - _ 125 

Whitefield and Wesley, . - - . ib. 

Cheering and humbling occurrences, . - . 127 

London Missionary Society, - - - 128 

Sanctifying efficacy of Christian doctrines, - - 129 

Effect of consistent conduct— Conversation, - - 130 

Usefulness, - - - - - - 131 

Conscious unworthiness, . - . . 132 

Discouragement, - - - - - 133 

Embarrassments, - - - - 134, 136 

Moderation and deadness to the world, - - 134 

Fall of a popular preacher, - - - - 135 

Anderson on Faith— Booth, Hervey, Marshall, kc. - 137 

Lock Asylum, . - *- - - . 139 
False notions of reconciliation with God, - - 138, 140 — 142 

Devices of Satan, - . . . . 142 

Offensiveness of the Gospel, - - . . 143 

Antinomianism, - - . - . - ib. 
Public Schools, --.... 144 

Science and Sensuality united, - - - - 145 

TVeccssity of personal secret religion, - - - 147 

Effects of remissness in prayer, - . . ib. 

Christian ministry, Desire of, and preparation for it, - 148 

Sunday Schools, - - - - - 149 



CONTENTS. XI 

^eceders, - - - - - - 150 

Qualifications for the Ministry, - - - ib. 

Church Missionary Society, - - - - 151 

- ^ Solemn League and Covenant,' - - . - 152 

Scotch Divinity, - - - - - 153 

New Presbytery, - - - - 154 

Connexion of Religion and Politics, - - - 155 

The Covenant an unlawful oath, - - - ib. 

Scripture covenanting, - - - - - - 156 

Covenanting for posterity, - . - ib. 

Copyright of his Commentary invaded, - - 158 

New edition of his Commentary, - ... I59 

His engagements, - - - - ^ ib. 

' Jacobins,' - - - - - -160 

Aston Sandford, - - - - - 161 

Congratulation and Condolence, - - - 162 

Secular business, ------ 163 

Religious parties, how to be united, . - - 165 

Hurry of engagements, ----- ib. 

"Indifference to the world, - - - - 166 

X. Letters to the Rev. Dr. Ryland : 1809 — 1819 - 168 

Training of Missipnaries, - - - - ib. 

Fire at Serampore, , - - - - ib. 

Uxbridge Bible Society, - - - - 169 

Baptist Mission, - - - - - 170 

State of Religion, - - - - - 171 

Seceders, - - - - - - - ib. 

XL Miscellaneous Letters : 1796—1821 - - 173 

To the Rev. R. Storry : Improvement of Time - - ib. 

To the Rev. B. Woodd : Tract on the Covenants, - 175 

To T. Cox, Esq. Derby : Christian Experience, . - 176 

To the Rev. G. Knight: Relief from embarrassments, - 178 

To a Baptist Minister : Christian kindness, - - ib. 

To the Editor : On marrying a wife's sister, - - 180 

To J. B. Esq. : On conformity to the Church of England, 184 

To a Lady : On the sin against the Holy Ghost, - - 188 
To a Clergyman: On administering the Lord's Supper to the sick 192 
To the Rev. G. Knight : On a change of situation from regard 

to interest, ._--.- 196 

To the Rev. D. Wilson : On the death of a child, - 198 

To the Rev. W. Gray : On the recommendation of Books, 200 

XIL On Questions discussed at Clerical Meetings, 202 

On the injunction, Give thyself wholly to them, - 203 

On Ministers declining in estimation and usefulness, - 209 
On the practical influence of the doctrines of Predestination, 

Election, and Final Perseverance, - - - 213 

XIII. On Matthew xiii. 28 : '* An Enemy.hath done this," 219 

XIV. Extracts from AN UNPUBLISHED work, - - 223 
Account of the work refered to, - - - ib. 
Part L Doctrinal — On the Divine Character - - 226 
Creation, ------ 227 

Divine Sovereignty and Law — Evil of Sin, and Fall of man, 228 

Redemption designed to magnify tlie Law, - - 231 

Preaching of the Gospel — Invitations, - - - 234 

Effects of unlimited offers — Man's enmity to the Gospel, - 236 

Distinguishing Grace, - - ' 237 



Xn CONTENTS. 

Election, - - - - . - ^3g 

Work of the Holy Spirit, - . - . 239 

Discovery of that work — Enthusiasm precluded, - - 240 

The law magnilSed by the work of the Spirit, - - 241 

1. Conviction of sin by the law, - - - - ib. 
Repentance, - - - - - 243 

2. The glory of the Gospel shewn by the law, - - 244 
Delusive experience, . . . . jb, 

3. The law a rule of life, ... . 246 

4. The law written in the heart, - - - 247 
Humility maintained by means of the law, - - 248 

Observations grounded on the preceding discussions, - 249 

1. On Faith, .-.-.. jb. 

2. On Internal Evidence, - - - - 251 

3. On Unbelief — its origin and criminality, - - ib. 

4. On Assurance of Faith and Assurance of Hope, - 253 
True and false confidence, - . - _ 256 
Reasons for insisting on the distinction between these two 

species of Assurance, - - - •- 257 

(1.) They rest on different evidence, - - ib. 

(2.) Doubting not always unbelief, - - , 258 

5. Final Perseverance, - - - - 261 
On guarding the doctrine, - . . ,. 262 
Who may take the comfort of it, - - 263 

Cases of declension and inconsistency, - - - . 264 

Scandals, - - - . - - 2^5 

The Author's own view of his work, - - - 266 

His charity towards those who differ from him, - 268 

Love to God, -.-... 269 

Loving the Law of God though it condemns us, - 271 

Whether we can love God before we know that he loves us, 273 

Repentance, - - - - - - 274 

Spiritual Judgment and Taste, - - - - 276 

Character of Christ, - - . . u 278 

Zeal for the glory of God, ----- 279 

God our portion, - - - - . 281 

Love to man, ----- ,. 284 

The whole gospel designed to promote holiness, - 286 

Promises attached to characters, - - - ^ . ogg 

'* The offence of the cross ceasing," - - - 289 

Part II. Practical — Observations on Jolm xv. 16, - 291 

On choosing the ministerial office, . - - 299 

The thief on the cross, ----- 301 

Division of the work, - - - • Jb. 

Christiain Graces and Duties, - - - - ib. 

1. Integrity and Sincerity, - . - - 302 

2. Being harmless and blameless, - - 304 

3. Active Benevolence, - - - - 305 

4. A meek and forgiving temper, - - . 307 

5. Indifference to the world, - - - - 309 

6. Contentment and Thankfulness, - - 313 

7. Observance of religious ordinances, - - 317 
Early attendance on public worship, - - 320 

8. Zeal for religion, - - ... 32^ 
Force of Truth, an Authentic Narrative, - - - 325 
A Morning Prayer for a Family, 405 



LETTERS AND PAPERS- 



No. I. 

EARLY LETTERS. 
1773—1776. 

JTHE articles which occur under this number will be found 
of a different description from any of those which follow. 
I insert the first letter as a specimen of the writer's corres- 
pondence with his sisters, at the period which immediately 
followed his ordination and removal into Buckinghamshire. 
The readers of his Life may, perhaps remember that he 
states " his ability of writing, and his flow of thought, to 
have come to him chiefly'' in this way—" by corresponding 
with his sisters on sentimental and other subjects."* This 
specimen will be acknowledged to demonstrate a surprising 
change since the time when, according to his own account, 
he was " utterly unable to compose themes, and even 
greatly at a loss to write a common letter," " absolutely 
seeming to have no ideas. "t It is replete with good sense, 
and loaded with thought, of a kind which would not have 
presented itself to every young man at twenty-six years of 
age, even though he might have enjoyed much superior 
advantages. It is addressed to his sister, afterwards Mrs. 
Webster, at Spilsby, and treats 

ON THE CHOICE OF A HUSBAND. 

*' Stoke Goldington, August 6, 1773. 
^^ MY DEAR SISTER, 

" I AM now afraid I shall trouble you with long and 
double letters till you begin to be weary of my correspon- 

* Life, p. 31. t Ibid. p. 17. 



14 EARLY LETTERS. [No. 

dence : but the nature of your last requires a speedy an- 
swer, as I know from experience that, when any thing of 
such moment is confided to another, there is an unavoida- 
ble anxiety until an answer is received. It gives me much 
satisfaction to see the mutual confidence that prevails be- 
tween my sisters all and me ; and, as far as any thing I can 
say or do can be of service, with most unfeigned pleasure 
shall I set about it. At the same time, in affairs of this 
nature, though never made much account of myself, I 
think I have made many useful observations, and in com- 
mon cases deem myself a tolerable judge : but I must own 
that your situation has nonplussed me. Besides, you have 
got to those years, and are of so considerate a disposition ; 
bestow so much pains to examine circumstances, and weigh 
consequences, and are so well qualified to do it ; that I 
imagine to myself all I can say, and much more, has been 
ere now weighed and pondered in your mind. But, as you 
will not be satisfied if I go no further, I will endeavour just 
to give you a hint or two of my sentiments. 

" I am very sorry my brother should make use of such an 
expression as you mention : it was unworthy of his good 
sense: it is an indiscriminating method of judging that 1 
shall never adopt. It is the man, not his occupation, that 
makes the difierence.... Where is this to stop ? Do we not 
see bad husbands, and imprudent persons, in infinitum, 
amongst all ranks of men? and, on the other hand, do we 
not find desirable relations, men of sobriety, prudence, and 
virtue, in every condition ? People of my profession are in 
general deemed undesirable husbands ; but, if I live, I hope 
to convince one person, be it who it may, that there are ex- 
ceptions. — You therefore see that I lay but little stress on 
that hasty objection. So far I allow it weight ; if the person 
were a pedant exciseman, and neither knew nor was ca- 
pable of learning any thing else, a just objection might be 
raised : but I think you wovdd not be prejudiced in favour 
of such a man. If he were imprudent, and had no idea of 
making provision for a rainy day, exciseman or not, he 
would be worth no woman's having. But, if he be, as I 
am prejudiced to hope, though you are the best judge, a 
man of docility and prudence, a man of spirit and activity, 
he will never be at a loss ; but, where one resource fails, 
he will quickly seize another. How many instances does 
every day present us of people brought up entirely to a 
business or profession^ who never make any progress : 



L] EARLY LETTERS. 15 

while othersj whom fortune alone as it were threw into 
their way of getting a living, by industry, prudence, and 
ingenuity, far surpass the others, nay, become eminent ? — 
Your scheme of grazing I like very well : and, if the family 
approved, it might be very advantageous, as a great deal 
of good business of that kind is in their hands, and each 
present branch provided for. I have but a very slender 
acquaintance with the person ; you have a more perfect 
knowledge of him: all I can do is to give you some hints of 
what I could wish to direct your choice. At the same 
time I am sensible that I shall give you no information, as 
your sentiments are so similar to my own. But still I will 
give those hints. 

" Let then sobriety be a sine qua non : with it many defi- 
ciencies may be supplied ; without it many excellencies 
may not only be buried, but rendered prejudicial. Prefer 
sobriety to almost every consideration : for a drunkard, nay 
a person only a little addicted to drinking, can never ren- 
der you happy. 

" Next, let every virtue be examined in order, and let 
the lowest in rank of these be preferred to the highest 
personal endowment or agreeable quality. Never seek 
for those qualities which the most of your sex admire 
they are indifferent in themselves, but, by the favour they 
acquire, they inspire vanity, and render a man haughty, 
imperious, and self-sufficient : which I think next to drunk- 
enness is most to be avoided. 

" Let an obliging disposition be much regarded. I do 
not mean the temper which is in general called by this 
name, and which consists in affected complaisance and 
unmeaning officiousness — under which is commonly con- 
cealed the most insufferable pride ; but that disposition 
which, without ostentation, finds pleasure in giving pleasure; 
thinks the opportunity of doing a good ofllce a sufficient 
reward for the trouble attending it ; and is never so happy 
as when employed in doini^ good. 

" You see how little stress I lay upon the qualifications 
«f body or mind, which carry to the generality of each sex 
the most bewitching attractions. I have learned to reg\i- 
late my own conduct by other rules, and to aim at other 
attaiiunents; and perhaps, both in myself and others, I 
make too little account of tliose admired qualities. In 
ghort I lay no stress at all upon them, but rather the con- 
trary ; and, were I to marry a woman at a short warning, 1 



1 6 EARLY LETTERS. [No. 

would rather choose one of whom no one took any notice, 
than one who was the admiration of every body. — -But 
good sense, I own, has great attractions for me, and I think 
for you also : but a very great mistake is often committed 
in that particular. You remark I put the epithet good to it; 
that will form a hint what I mean; namely a tolerable 
share of sense applied to its proper use. I have often been 
in company with people of noted sense, who have been 
the most insufferable creatures living. A certain air of 
superiority infects their whole conduct ; a positiveness in 
assertion, an impatience of contradiction, a peremptory 
tone, a deciding vote are their characteristics. These 
you would avoid as a pestilence. A person much inferor 
in parts and education may far surpass them in good sense. 
You may be able to converse with one inferior in know- 
ledge with tolerable satisfaction ; but you never can with 
him who thinks himself superior in so absolute a manner, 
as not to allow you to know any thing. A real ignorance 
and an imagined knowledge often have the same effects, 
that is, produce obstinacy, which is the bane of every thing 
•good and desirable. Let the person then you choose, in 
this particular, possess useful knowledge; but whether he 
knows more or less, let him never think he knows enough : 
if he does, wo to his wife — except she know nothing. — In 
my judgment, nothing can render a man more desirable 
than a certain diffidence of himself; a feeling that he is 
liable to mistake, and that his knowledge, how extensive 
'soever, may receive additions. Such a person will ever 
listen to reasons given ; and will never quarrel with one 
who happens to think otherwise than he does: and you 
know how desirable such a quality is. 

^^ In regard to external circumstances, a prudent foresight 
is necessary in every rank of life ; though riches are not 
happiness, poverty is distress, especially to those who have 
not been used to it. Here look out for frugality, industry, 
application, and activity. Whatever station a man is born 
in, on himself in a great measure depends his future for- 
tune ; and, though it may not be practicable for a man to 
raise himself from, indigence to affluence, yet it is hardly 
ever out of a man's power, who possesses the qualities I 
have mentioned, to advance himself to a comfortable inde- 
pendence: while, on the other hand, no advantages, of 
fortune secure the imprudent prodigal from sinking ijito 
poverty and distress. 



I.] EARLY LETTERS. tj 

" So you see; upon the whole, I prefer sobriety to every 
thing; virtue to the gifts of nature ; that man whom others 
think beneath notice, to him whom each female views 
and admires ; an innate benevolence to an outside com' 
plaisance ; a small share of useful, well applied good sense, 
to the largest fund of learning and knowledge, when pro- 
ductive of self-sufficiency ; modesty, even in a man, to the 
most agreeable assurance ; and lastly, frugality and pru- 
dence to riches and worldly advantages ; and from all to- 
gether you may infer that it is the man himself, not his 
externals, nor yet his calling, that I judge by. You best 
know how many of those qualities the person in question 
possesses, and in which he is deficient ; but, as you must 
expect deficiencies in every one, let it rather be in any 
thing than that I first mentioned ; and next avoid the pe- 
remptory sensible man. 

" So far I have given my sentiments on this so delicate a 
subject in a general manner. As to descending to particu- 
lars, it is impossible. When I am well acquainted with the 
men, I durst positively say, Avoid this man ; but I durst not 
say. Choose this : because men are not absolutely to be 
known ; and, as \ny design in every action is to do good, so 
I should never forgive m3^self, if by my advice any person, 
and especially a sister, v/ere induced to take a step which 
entailed misery. 

'* One thing more I have to add, the next to your own 
inclinations. I had almost said, prior to them the senti- 
ments of the person in question ought to be consulted. 
Oblige a man of sense and sensibility in marrying him, and 
you lay a most excellent foundation; turn the obligation 
X\iG other way, and your man must be well chosen indeed 
to act in a desirable manner. But, where the obligation is 
nearly equal, the most promising and stable foundation is 
laid. In short, the nearer the quality in each particular 
is, the better the prospect of future happiness. 

"^ So far you see my sentiments : but one most material 
tiling remains yet to be considered, which requires a still 
more delicate touch. You say something of my father's 
not giving his consent. And have 1 been all along advis- 
ing you to act in contradiction to the opinion of one so 
superior in age and experience, and who, beyond dispute, 
has your interest as much at heart as any one, not even 
excepting myself? Iti what I have said, I did not intend 

2* 



la EARLY LETTERS. [No, 

that. If my father any way opposes it, I am sensible he 
does it because he thinks the prospect not good ; which if 
it really be not, it ought to be prevented. Convince my 
father therefore theit the person is not undeserving, and 
you are sure of his consent. You have great influence with 
him, and he has a very great opinion of your judgment and 
prudence ; he will hear your reasons with partiality ; and 
time alters people's opinion much. But I lay more stress 
on his consent, than on my brother's censure ; though I 
have a very high opinion of him also : but that deciding 
manner is his fault: and perhaps my father's judgment has 
thence received a bias." 

The great stress which this letter lays upon freedom 
from intemperance will have been noticed ; nor can the 
supreme importance of such a qualification be doubted : 
but we may take occasion to remark, that many passages 
in my father's early letters imply that the vice of drunken- 
ness was much more common at that time, than it is to be 
hoped, it is at present. ^" Getting drunk," he on one occa- 
sion says, — " a vice with which I think the whole world is 
infected." 

What he in another point requires that the object of his 
sister's choice should be, that he himself eminently was 
— " a man of spirit and activity, who, where one resource 
fails, w^ill quickly seize another." He sa3^s of himself, and 
most justly, to his younger sister, (afterwards Mrs. Ford,) 
November 10, of the same year : "If I know my own cha- 
racter, whatever my hand findeth to do^ I do it icith all my 
might. In each action I endeavour to take in its whole fu- 
ture tendency. Now that I think study the important 
point, with application I pursue it. Should a family lequire 
a further suppl}^, either for present use or future provision, 
if I know myself, I should apply to some other more imme- 
diate source of advantage, with equal spirit and assiduity. 
This I think my past conduct proves : for nothing can be 
more opposite than my former and my present pursuits; 
and no one can say that I wanted spirit in either." 

I shall subjoin a few miscellaneous extracts from his early 
correspondence wuth his sisters. 

In a letter dated London, March 13, 1773, the day be- 
fore he was ordained priest, he writes thus. " London is 
just what it was, a place of noise, confusion and grandeur ; 
not of happimess. I walk the streets in a very philosophi- 



L] eIrly letters. 19 

cal manner ; some I pity^ some I detest, some despise, and 
at some I am amazed ; but I think I envy no one. At one 
end of the town men are all pursuing interest, some with 
prudence and honesty, some with knavery. 

' '* Througlixlifferent roads with equal speed they run, 

Some to undo, and some to be undone." 

At the Other end, nothing but grandeur and show, dissipa- 
tion and diversion. Mankind in general are more desirous 
of appearing happy than of being so : else what satisfaction 
can there be in flying from reflection, and supplying the 
want of peace and wisdom by an incessant round of folly ? 
what gratification can they propose to themselves, who 
by anticipating their desires and appetites, have lost all 
relish of the enjoyments they pursue ? But we may preach 
long ere we can alter the ways of thinking, how erroneous 
soever they may be. Mankind will pursue pleasure, and 
never overtake it ; follow after happiness, and in reality 
leave, it. We cannot help it. We must only reform our 
own judgments and manners, and those of such as we have 
authority over. How much has every one to thank God 
and his parents for, who had his mind seasoned in his 
youth with rational notions, and has been taught to seek 
that happiness which consists, not in unbounded gratifica-* 
tion, but in a rational restraint of his passions. Such an ed- 
ucation is not only more valuable than a large inheritance, 
titles, or possessions, but even than the greatest abilities, 
natural or acquired." 

1772. — " How well an 8fc, fills up a chasm in the mind, 
and answers the purpose, not only of a word, but of a 
thought. It resembles a man getting the character of wis- 
dom by holding his tongue.'' 

1773. — " As the greatest part of my life has been spent 
differently from what I judged advantageous, and yet has 
all combined, and ^ach part tended thereto, I will act to 
the best of my knowledge, and according to the dictates of 
honour, and make no doubt that this also will help forward 

the same end.'' " The seeming shipwrecks we meet 

with in the voyage of life often prove the very things which 
best speed our course to the haven ivhere ice would he. 
......In this conflict (the struggles of life,) naught but yielding 

loses the victory." 

Let the sincere Christian realize the closing sentiment, 
as eminently and universally true in the great conflict in 



20 EARLY LETTER. [No. 

which he is engai^cd ; aiivl be animated by it, as in all rea- 
son he oughtj to be •' stcadtkst and unmoveable."' '^ Only b\' 
yielding can he lose the victory.^' 

1775. — '^ The wisdom and duty of every person are, to 
do his best towards making things go as he thinks would 
be for his good ; but, if they will take a different turn, then 
to rest assui'ed, that even so it is for the best ; since every 
thing, great or small, is ordered by the providence of that 
God who knows much better what is for our good than we 
do, and is often disposing things for our advantage when we 
are murmuring, and repining in discontent, at the very 
methods his infinite wisdom makes choice of; because we 
perceive not their tendency, nor discern their propriety." 

This was written in the crisis of his great conflict con- 
cerning subscription, and the resignation of the hopes of 
preferment.''* 

1773. — ^' Your notions of predestination are very just; 
and think not that I flatter when I say, that I have read a 
volume on the subject more than once, in which so much 
has not been said. The sole difficulty is, how the Almighty 
can foresee, and not constrain : and an inextricable diffi- 
culty it is. But can we see by what means he causes a 
seed to gi'ow into a plant ? The truth is, we are finite, 
and He is infinite : our conceptions are confined to narrow 
limits, He spans immensity : and shall we wonder that our 
narrow faculties cannot contain or comprehend his un- 
searchable counsels ? Woidd not the motions of a 

watch, and the watchnruikers foretelling how it would go, 
be as inextricably mysterious to the ignorant savage, as in- 
finite wisdom perfectly foreseeing the various motions of the 
heart, influenced by given reason and passions, revelation 
and grace?" 

The last illustration, though happy as far as it goes, does 
not, it must be confessed, reach the peculiarities of the case 
— and perhaps was not meant to do so. The watchmaker 
" constrains" what he " foresees." 

1774. — " A serious mind, say others what they m:iy, is 
not only the soil of virtue, but the seed of happiness : and 
he knows but little of the human heart, who confounds se- 
riousness with dulness, or levity with cheerfulness. Rather 
put seriousness and cheerfulness into one character, and 
their opposites into the other." 

* Life, p. 66-75, 



L] EARLY LETTERS. 21 

1774. — '^ By being placed among sectaries^ I have been 
led to inquire into their different principles ; and the char- 
acter I am emulous of is that of a moderator ; explaining 
the doctrines I profess, in such a manner as to come as 
near as truth will allow to those who differ from me, and 
theirs so as to come as near to my own as they admit. I 
think I have, by a strict examination cleared my own ideas 

much, and I have certainly fixed the notions of some 

who were wavering These doctrines (denominated 

mcthodistical) here reign triumphant. Few are to be 
found who are not rather biassed that way, except those 
who are utterly negligent. The reason is the methodisti- 
cal ministers are so exemplary in their lives, and so dili- 
gent in their calling; and the others (may silence cover it !) 
so remiss and careless, not to say immoral ; and most so lit- 
tle desirous of rectifying others' notions, that few have any 
thing tolerably formed of their own. These are the real 
causes. Your methodistical teachers are men of no parts, 
and not sufficiently respectable : our^s of shewy talents and 
(for we must judge by appearances, and on the charita- 
ble side,) of respectable characters. These arguments, 
supported by a shewy rhetoric, and a diligence unknown 
to others, are sufficient to cast the scale on that side. And, 
alas ! their opponents do not desire to draw it back. They 
affect to despise them and their adherents, and avow an 

indifference : but they are not to be despised." " The 

person I board with is . a nominal protestant, and a real 
catholic. I think I shall make a real protestant of him.'' 

1774. — ^Mt would give me some pleasure if people 
would but let me alone ; but my choice in life is so widely 
different from that of many of my brethren, that they think 
they are doing a meritorious act in endeavouring, as they 
suppose to rectify my ideas. They are sure I study too 
hard ; and are troublesomely anxious about my health. 
They want me to eat .better, and drink better, to go into 
more company, to sit up later, and lie in bed longer : and 
all this for my health's sake, together with a wise regard 
to future life. But I am so conceited as to think myself the 
wisest ; the best judge of my constitution and interest. You 
can hardly conceive the resolution that I have occasion for, 
to enable me to stay at home, and act as my judgment dic- 
tates. I am certain I might, if I chose, spend my whole 
time in visits. But I see the consequence in others ; and, 
if I ever int^n4 to ipend the prospect in life, (not ipenXion- 



22 EARLY LETTERS. [No. 

ing certain other considerations,) I must resist tlie stream. 
A gentleman whom I know has had 50/. per annum a num- 
ber of years ; he has been the constant companion of his 
superiors, has himself lived of the fat of the land, and loves 
good living dearly ; he has a lame family, and, notwith- 
standing various assistance he receives, amountinir on an 
average to 50/. more, he is as poor as death. He is pitied 
and despised. He gets assisted with little sums to keep his 
family from starving ; and lives himself at other people's 
tables. Had I just his income and his family, I could, I am 
fully persuaded, live decently, be estimated and respected, 
and not be in a slavish dependence on any one. Had he 
done this, he might have had assistance of a superior sort. 
My rector's other curate is a sensible youn^r man, and some- 
thing of a scholar. He is likely to be fellow of a college. 
He has 40/. a year from my rector : whether he has any 
other income or private fortune I know not : but, from his 
manner of living, and his fashionable appearance, I an cer- 
tain he cannot live for much under 80/. per annum. It 
might be expected that I should imitate him ; and I can 
find that he thinks my notions of living a peculiarity laugh- 
able and ridiculous : But I think they would be more so 
were they similar to his. The ambition of a curate of 40/. 
or 50/. a year to imitate rectors of some hundreds, and to 
entertain gentlemen of some thousands, is the very thing 
that brings the character of clergymen into contempt, by 
rendering them poor, servile, and dependent. — You must 
excuse me this reverie. The conversation in which I was 
engaged last night led me into it. I was brimful, and did not 
think the time proper to give vent to my sentiments : so 
now they form a part of my epistle to you, though I am 
pretty sure you think as I do in great measure.-' 

Important sentiments are here conveyed, though in a 
somewhat sportive manner. We may add to them the 
following observation from a subsequent letter ; " Those 
who take much upon them, and build high without a firm 
foundation, may attract silly minds, who look no further 
than a flimsy superstructure ; but he who is not above any 
thing which his circumstances require, though he build 
slower, yet he builds surer, and in time will, in all probabil- 
ity, have a solid building to protect him, when that of the 
ether is all laid in ruins.'' 

1774. — '• I was yesterday in company with some gentle- 
men, wlio were talking of Mr. B. They knew not th^^t I 



1.] EARLY LETTERS. 23 

was any relation. I find that my opinion of him is exactly 
conformable to that of others : they all allow him great 
merit and abilities, but cannot help deriding his vanity, and 
blaming his overbearing disposition It is an estab- 
lished maxim of his, that he will not be contradicted by any 
body. You will readily form to yourself an idea how 
agreeable such a resolution must make him in company, 
and in his family connexions. He is now about to under- 
take a piece of work within about three miles of this place ; 
to convert an old house into a new one, and a morass, or 
something like one, into fine gardens. If they will find 
money, he will find ingenuity, there is no fear ; but he is 
not used to sell his ingenuity at a low rate. They place 
B. and nature almost on a level : where she errs, he recti- 
fies ; removes mountains, makes rivers and woods, fills up 
cavities : in short, say but the word, and he changes the 
whole scene. His ingenuity in this respect is certainly 
uncommon : and he at one word tells you for what he will 
execute his plan ; and he always does it well. By this 
means he has got that great repute, and those affluent 
circumstances, which he at present enjoys, and is continu- 
ally increasing. But as in every thing he is used to give 
laws, not only to man but to the face of nature ; and as all 
his undertakings have been crowned with the most flatter- 
ing success ; this has planted and nourished in him that 
vanity and overbearing conduct, which render him far 
less the object of either love or admiration, than he would 
otherwise be. But enough. We will just observe that this 
advantage may be drawn from the consideration of this 
person's character, — that any person, who, like Mr. B., is 
ingenious in one thing, should be very careful that he do 
not shew to all mankind his conscious superiority ; which 
perhaps he cannot avoid feeling, and which, felt alone, may 
be an useful spur to action. But doubly careful ought he 
to be, not to suffer the air of superiority to creep into 
those things in which he has no claim to excel. The for- 
mer of these is vanity, the latter self-sufficiency. If his 
abilities introduce him into the company of his superiors, 
he ought to be careful not to be too familiar, nor to affect 
equality : if he be treated with distinction, to use that dis- 
tinction with moderation ; and to take too little, rather than 
too much upon him, in all companies, superior or inferior. 
In short, the more flattering circumstances are, the stricter 
hand ought to be kept, and moderation and an affable 



24 EARLY LETTERS. [No, 

behavior to be the more studied : otherwise es much is lost 
on one hand as is gained on the other, in point of credit — 
while love is entirely forfeited ; for who can love the man 
that always claims an implicit submission to his assevera- 
tions ?'' 

I shall give only one more extract from letters not deci- 
dedly of a religious cast, and writtten before the author's 
religious principles were fully settled. It indicates the 
change which was taking place in his mind. 

June 175 1776. — "I shall perhaps find some difficulty in 
persuading you, that I am almost as busy as you are, and 
look for nothing else as long as I live. Nor can I conceive 
that it was ever designed by providence, that they, whose 
sole employ is to exhort others to be diligent and watchful, 
should themselves be indolent and unemployed ; or that 
tli€y, who are to teach others to renounce the pomps and 
vanities, diversions and pleasures of this world, should have 
nothing to do but to indulge and gratify themselves therein. 
For my part, as regularly as the morning, noon, or even 
comes, it brings with it its business, which I think I ought 
not to neglect. Should you ask how this comes to pass so 
much more than formerly ? the answer is, that I see things 
relative to my profession in another light than I used to do, 
and regard much more as incumbent upon me.'' 



1 



No. II* ■ 

LETTERS TO MRS. SCOTT^S BROTHER IN LAW 

1778—1785. 



Near the close of the sixth chapter of my father^s Life^ 
a series of letters is adverted to, addressed to the husband 
of my mother^s sister, and mainly employed in urging an 
immediate and decided attention to the great concerns of 
religion. This series I shall here introduce, preserving, in 
their pi'oper places, (in order to avoid any mutilation of the 
letters,) the few specimens which have already been given 
to the public. 

Weston Underwood, August 11, 1778. 
'^' DEAR BROTHER^ 

" Religion was so much the subject of conversation with 
us when you were in Bucks, that I hope it will not be 
a disagreeable subject of correspondence. I am so deep- 
ly sensible of the importance of religion, that is, of the 
concerns of eternity, the interests of our immortal souls, 
and the way and manner in which we may be accepted 
by a just, holy, almighty, and eternal God, that I am 
naturally led to think every one as much impressed with 
the sense of these things as I am ; though I have abun- 
dant evidence that there are but very few who pay 
much regard to them ; and, of those who do pay some re- 
gard, most are so much blinded and prejudiced by the 
world, by Satan, and by sin, that their religion is one of 
their own making, and they know little of that religion 
which the word of God proposes to us. Now, when you 
were with us, I felt comfortable under the persuasion that 
the Lord had sent you with the design of making your 
coming useful to you : that he had opened your mind to 
attend to the things which, in public and private, were dis- 
coursed to you : you seemed to receive them so willing- 

3 



26 LETTERS TO MRS. SCOTt's [NO. 

ly, and with such a desire of hearing more and more. You 
may remember that, though I told you my views of reli- 
gion over and over, yet I laid little stress upon that : I told 
you withal, that, I did not want you to believe them be- 
cause / taught them, but because the Lord taught them. 
The Bible being the word of God, his messenger to us, able 
to make us ivise unto salvation^ the great point I labored to 
impress upon your mind was, the absolute necessity of ta- 
king our religion from that book alone, and the obliga- 
tion we are under to search the scriptures daily, to know 
what indeed they do contain : to receive what they contain 
as certain truth, however men, even learned men, and 
preachers may contradict them ; and however contrary 
they may be to our former notions and conceptions ; and 
how mysterious soever some things in them may appear. 
— The next thing I laboured to impress was, the necessity 
of prayer in general, for whatever we want ; but especial- 
ly, when we read the holy scriptures, that we may be ena- 
bled by the Holy Spirit to understand them. The word 
of God teaches us, that ihe natural man receiveth not the 
things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to 
him ; neither can he knoiv thein, because they are spiritual- 
ly discerned : that the Lord must open the understanding 
before we can understand the scriptures : that, if any man 
want tvisdomj he must ask it of God : that no man cometh 
unto Christ but as taught of God : that we are to trust in 
the Lord icith all our heart, and not to lean to our oicn un- 
derstanding ; in all our ivays to acknowledge him, and he 
icill direct our paths : that we must receive the blessings of 
Christ's kingdom with the teachable humility of a little child, 
know^ing that a man can receive notldng except it be given 
him of God. Now, could I persuade you (the Lord blessing 
my words,) to enter upon this course of reading God's word, 
and prayer, then, I trust, I should have put you into the 
right way of searching, and the Lord would teach you. 
Then the papers I put into your hands, and the hints I 
might from time to time drop in my letters, might be useful. 
— But this is the first point I wish to gain. By this you 
tt»ay see that I do not want to proselyte you to a system of 
opinions, but to send you to the word and the Spirit of the 
Lord, to be taught the way of Salvation as it is jn Jesus. 
J5ut I know experimentally how carefulness about many 
things makes one neglect the one thing needful : how back- 
ward and indisposed all are to enter upon a course of strict 



II.] BROTHER IN LAW. 27 

religion: how Satan takes advantage of our corruptions, 
and besets us on every side : how powerful the allurements 
of the world are. I can make many allowances for you, 
but none that will excuse you. — I can* only drop one hint 
more, and that is, that a sinner's salvation is an act of 
gr^ce ; that we are to seek it of the Lord as a free gift ; 
first, seeking an interest in Christ's blood for pardon and 
peace with God, by faith; and, secondly, the converting 
grace of the Holy Spirit to create us anew unto good works, 
which is a part of our salvation ; and, lastly, continued sup- 
plies of grace to help us to go on as we have set out. — My 
paper is full. V/e join in love and duty, and especially in 
prayers to God for you all, for health and comfort here, but 
particularly that we may all obtain this salvation by Jesus 
Christ, and meet in heaven. 

" Your most sincerely affectionate brother, 

Thomas Scott." 

" Weston Underwood, January 15, 1779. 
" DEAR BROTHER, 

" Your letter gave me great pleasure, not only as it 
intimates that you are all in tolerable health, but also, and 
particularly, as it shows that you have not forgotten what 
you heard and saw amongst us : because, though the im- 
portant concerns of religion generally, when new to any 
person, make «ome little impression upon him, if not an 
open profligate who can make a jest of them, yet that 
impression generally wears off, when he returns into the 
business, hurry, pleasure, and diversions of the world. It 
is seed sown hy the wayside^ or among thorns ; and either 
the devil takes it out of his hearty or the cares of the world, 
and the deceitfulness of riches^ or the desires of other things 
enter in and choice the word^ and it hecometh unfruitful. But 
as, after so long a time, you continue to have serious de- 
sires, and purposes of carrying into practice what you 
were then put upon considering, I would take it as a token 
for good, and hope that tlie Lord sent you to Weston to 
learn something which should be for your everlasting ben- 
efit. In order that it may be so, I shall be heartily wil- 
ling, from time to time, to give you any instructions or 
information I am able, accompanied, I will assure you, 
with earnest prayer to God for a blessing upon you and 
your's. I would, therefore, first, renew my old advice of 
making it a rule every day to read some portion of the 



28 LETTERS TO MRS. SCOTT^S [No. 

word of Godj seriously, attentivelyj with prayer to God 
for the teaching of his Holy Spirit to enable you rightly to 
understand it. For the natural man receweth not, i^c. If 
the Lord do but incline your heart thus to search the 
scriptures, and to pray cpntinually to him to teach, guide, 
help, and bless you, you will continually get forward in 
your acquaintance with spiritual things. Indeed, the word 
of God meditated on daily, and being instant in prayer, 
both to be taught what are our wants, and how we may 
have them supplied, and for that supply as we see our need 
of it, and discover where it may be had, are, to a sincere 
soul, which indeed desires to serve God in his appointed 
way, the great means, both of learning that way, and being 
enabled to walk in it. 

" The state of your mind, as you describe it, previously 
to your coming to Weston, is what we call an unawakened 
state ; and is what we all have, more or less, had expe- 
rience of. Being blinded by Satan, and deceived by our 
OAvn self-love ; and being ignorant of God's justice and ho- 
liness, and of the strictness, spirituality, and perfection of 
his law ; and not thinking much of that solemn judgment, 
wherein we must give an account of our thoughts, words, 
and actions, according to that law; we judge of ourselves, 
and of characters, according to the notions and customs of 
the world: and, if we fancy any are worse than ourselves, 
we generally flatter ourselves into our own good opinion, 
and, without further inquiry, take it for granted that all is 
well. And this, notwithstanding, perhaps, that we utterly 
neglect God, and our duty to him, and live wholly without 
him in the world : notwithstanding that we are strangers to 
he love of God, our love being placed upon the world, 
and the things of the world, making provision for the fiesh, 
to fulfil the lusts thereof Thus, walking in the broad way^ 
according to the course of the tvorld, and thinking well of 
ourselves, we look no further, or but little further : and if, 
at any time, any outward wickedness makes conscience a 
little uneasy, we think that abstaining in future, or at most 
some few forms of prayer, repeated as an unwelcome 
task, will atone for it. Therewith we lull conscience 
asleep again : and thus live utter strangers to any feeling 
sense of our need of that Saviour, who came to seek and 
save that which was lost; and cannot possibly know what to 
make of the glorious things said of him, — his preciousness,^ 
— his boundless love, — his unsearchable riches^ — liis b^ing 



IL] BROTHER IN LAW. ^9 

the Christian's wisdom^ righteousness, sanctification, and re* 
demption, — his all in all. In this state, while the strong 
man, armed with our ignorance, prejudice, self-love, and 
love of the world, keeps the castle of our hearts and his 
goods are in peace, the Lord finds 'those that are saved. By 
some providence or other, he brings them in the way of 
hearing some faithful and close preacher ; or he brings 
them acquainted with some of his believing people ; or he 
puts them upon a diligent reading of the Scriptures : these 
means he who gives the increase blesses to them ; his Spirit 
convinces them of sin ; they hear or read of God as a just 
and holy God ; they find themselves affected in an uncom- 
mon manner with the discoveries made to their souls of 
these his attributes ; they learn that he requires truth in 
the inward parts, the supreme unabated love of himself — 
the whole heart and soul : they find his law strict to the 
uttermost, making no allowance, requiring perfection, and 
pronouncing awful curses upon every transgressor ; that 
his perfection forbids him to make any other law ; that his 
dealings with the angels that fell, with the old world, with 
Sodom and Gomorrah, with Egypt, with the seven nations 
of Canaan, yea, with his own people, the Jews, for their 
sins, loudly proclaim his strict justice and hatred of iniqui- 
ty : comparing their lives, their tempers, their very ima- 
gined virtues and duties, with the strict and perfect law^ 
they find that all come short ; they are alarmed ; they feel 
themselves sinners ; they see their danger, and begin to 
seek for a remedy. But, being still strangers to the ori- 
gin of thes^ evils, the depravity of man's fallen nature, 
they think they can amend ; as you say, assume an abso- 
lute power over themselves, when they please ; they try, 
but are disappointed. Can the Ethiopian change his skin, 
or the leopard his spots ? Perhaps they try again, and some- 
times are in great distress. What must I do to he saved ? 
becomes the question. Self, the world, and man's natural 
wisdom, make many answers. The soul makes trial of 
them all without success ; till, finding its fears more pres- 
sing, and its corruptions more busy, its resolutions waver- 
ing, its services consciously imperfect and unpleasant, at 
length it is brought, sometimes sooner, sometimes later, 
to consider the apostle's answer. Believe in the Lord Jesus 
Christ, and thou shalt be saved, — As appears by your let- 
ter to me, you are not fully come up to this point yet. 
You must probably be left to try other schemes first, in 

3* 



so LETTERS TO MRS. SCOTT^S [No. 

order to being brought to a more deep experimental con- 
viction of your lost state, your natural weakness and de- 
pravity, and the need you have of a Saviour. But, whe- 
ther you know it or not, (I hope you will know it,) before 
you can serve God with comfort and acceptance, you 
need these t\j^o things. 1. Forgiveness of sins. You have 
been sinning against God in thought, word, and deed, 
all your life ; as we all have. Your sins of heart and life, 
of omission and commission, stand against you ; and, till 
they be accounted for and forgiven, your services cannot 
be accepted. Every duty you do is short of its perfection, 
and as such adds to your sins, and needs forgiveness. In 
this case, the gospel reveals forgiveness through the blood 
of Christ, frtely given to every sinner who believes. jBe- 
lievc^ and thou shalt he saved. Accept this freely as it is 
offered, and seek, by prayer, for faith to believe this record 
which God gives of his Son : and then, your sins being 
forgiven, you will no longer look upon God as an austere 
master, or severe judge, but as a loving father ; and willy 
with acceptance and comfort, pay your services, though 
imperfect. For, 2. you need moreover a willing mind, 
and strength to resist temptation. Hitherto I dare say 
you have constrained your inclination in what you have 
done in religion : but, if you are brought to faith, living 
faith in Christ, he will give you other inclinations, a new 
hearty and a new spirit j a new nature. Then his yoJce will 
he easy ; his commandments not grievous ; his ways ways; 
of pleasantness, — But I must stop. If you attend to what, 
from my own experience, and from the Bible, I have said, 
it will, I trust, help you out of your waverings, and free 

you from your difficulties God bless you and yours. 

'' Yours affectionately, 

'' Thomas Scott.'' 



^ Weston Underwood, Febrtmry 5, 1780. 
'• DEAR brother, 

" We received your's, but it came too late for the 
purpose intended ; for your sister* arrived before her 
letter of recommendation. However, we ventured to take 
her in ; and, on conversation, we found she carried about 
with her a better letter of recommendation than any you 

^ My father's Nortliumbrian correspondent, to whom many letters insert- 
^ in his life^ and some which follow lu this volume, were addressed. 



m 



It.] BROTHER IN LA\r. St 

eould write for her ; namely, an epistle of Christ, written 
not with inky but with the spirit of the living God, not on 
papery but on the fleshy tables of the heart. 2 Cor. iii. 3. 
You know how it is with the free-masons: though not per- 
sonally acquainted with one another, yet by means of some 
secret sign, which other people know nothing ofj they 
can make themselves known to one another ; ^nd, when 
they discover any one to be a free-mason, though he 
come from the other end of the earth, they welcome him 
as a friend and a brother. Thus is the secret of the Lord 
with them that fear him. Truly converted persons, wha 
have an experimental acquaintance with what Christ calls 
the new birth of the Spirity and St. Paul the new creation / 
who know what it is to pass from death unto lifcy from 
a state of nature unto a ^tate of grace, by the powerful 
teaching and iufluences of the Holy Spirit ; have every 
one of them a certain set of inward experiences, of which 
none but themselves know any thing, but of which the 
least hint is readily understood by those who have expe- 
rienced the same ; by which they know and acknowledge 
one another as the children' of the same father, love as 
brethen, and delight in doing good to each other as the 
disciples of the same master^ and for his sake. These 
marks and notices, by which they know one another, are 
of such a nature as cannot be communicated to others ; 
any more than a man who sees can communicate to a man 
born blind his perception of light and colours. However, 
they are such as follow : similar views of the evil of sin, of 
the depravity of man's nature, of the evil of their own 
hearts, and their deservedly lost condition in themselves ; 
of their utter inability to save themselves ; of their need of 
a Saviour, of the suitableness and preciousness of Christ, 
as the Saviour of lost sinners, with longings after him, and 
counting all but loss for him ; sense of the need of conver- 
sion in order to salvation ; deadness to the world, and Iovq 
of holiness. I had no sooner begun to converse with your 
sister than I began to hope she was in Christ's school, and 
I am more confirmed in my persuasion continually, and 
feel assured that the Lord sent her among us for her 

further instruction and establishment In the mean 

time, she is as welcome at our house as if she were at 
home, and to any good offices I can do her. She seems 
quite happy in our lonely way of living amidst a succes-^ 



32 LETTERS TO MR5. SCOTt's [No. 

sion of preachingj praying, religious conversatioiij and read- 
ing. She is very industrious, &c. 

" Your sincerely affectionate brother, 

" Thomas Scott. '^ 

When in this letter the writer speaks of Christians as 
thus knowing one another by the coincidence of their views 
and experiences, he is not to be understood as asserting 
any infallible power of " discerning the spirits'' of men : 
but only, as his explanation implies, that a probable opin- 
ion may generally be formed. Hypocrites may occa- 
sionally impose upon us ; and good men may not always 
discover one another : but in general the congeniality or 
want of congeniality will be felt. — On the stigmatized topic 
of experiences J the reader may be referred to my Father's 
Remarks on the " Refutation of Calvinism," Book I. c. ii. 
§ 13. 

" Weston Underwood, July 5, 1780. 

"dear brother, 

" Your letter reminded rhe of that precious promise, 
Isaiah Ixv. 24. And it shall come to pass that before they 
call I will answer^ and while they are yet speaking I icill 
hear. You express to the Lord your desire to be taught to 
pray ; and immediately he (I doubt not) puts a most suitable 
prayer into your mouth, or rather, into your heart ; which 
you have committed to writing, I suppose for my encour- 
agement in writing to you. And it is accompanied, as all 
prayer ought to be, with thanksgiving, and supplication for 
others, according to that excellent rule, Phil. iv. 6. I men- 
tion these things to lead your attention to the Scripture 
promises and precepts, both that you may be directed to go 
by scriptural rules in your religious exercises, and to plead 
scripture promises in prayer, expecting a faithful God 
to be as good as his word ; (which is the precise nature 
of hoping or trusting in God ;) and also to encourage you 
to proceed in quietly waiting upon the Lord without dis- 
traction or doubting, by shewing you how, by his Spirit, 
he is leading you in the good old scriptural way ; and has 
begun to answer your first attempt to pray, and to fulfill 
his own promises to you. They that know thy name ivill 
jmt their trust in thee ^ for thoUy Lord^ hast never failed 
ihem that seek thu. 



II.] BROTHER IN LAW. S3 

" You may rest assured that J thank my God on every r«- 
membrance of you, for the work of grace hopefully begun 
in youj and do frequently rememher you in my prayers^ mak- 
ing 7-equest with joy ; hoping that it is indeed an effectual 
work, and being confident of this very thing, that he which 
hath begun a good work in you will perform it unto the day 
of Jesus Christ. Phil, i, 3 — 6. Would you know what I 
pray for on your behalf, read verses 9 — 11 of that chap- 
ter. And may God moreover make you an instrument, 
by your example, instruction, and prayers, of the eternal 
salvation of those around you ; I doubt not that what God 
is doing for you is in answer to the prayers of your Wes- 
ton relations, and of your sister, who has newly begun, 
like another Israel, to wrestle with God and prevail for 
abundant blessings. And, if the Lord stirs you up in good 
earnest to join us in these prayers for many around you, I 
shall confidently expect the most desirable answers. I 
know by my own experience, as well as from his unerring 
word, that God is a God that hear eth prayer ; and that, when 
two or three agree together on earth as touching any thing 
which they shall ask in the name of Jesus, it shall be done 
for them. And, though we cannot meet personally to join 
in prayer for each other, and others, yet we may, and do (I 
hope) spiritually meet before the throne of grace of an om- 
nipresent God. And, if we do but agree daily to pray for 
the eternal salvation of our relations, friends, and neighbors, 
and persevere with the patience of the woman of Canaan, 
we shall in due time have the same answer, Be it unto thee 
even as thou wilt. 

" When you read your Bible, observe what wonderful 
things are spoken of, promised to, and affected by, prayer. 
Without prayer we can do nothing : but faith and pra3^er^ 
engaging an almighty arm on our side, do all things : — And 
this is the reason why we are so much hindered, discour- 
aged, and tempted in respect of prayer, and meet with so 
many excuses. It is Satan's business to keep us from 
prayer. If he can effect this, he holds us fast at his pleas- 
ure in his snare. If we will pray, he must lose us. And 
therefore so long as ever, by reason of our corruptions and 
worldly-mindedness, he can keep us from praying, he will. 
And so long as he can, by means of our foolish fear of men 
and wicked shame, work upon us, by setting his servants 
to laugh and scoff, or rail at us, he will. And, were it not 
that I have neither time nor room, I coujd shew you many 



34 LETTERS TO MRS. SCOTt's fNo. 

of his ways to keep people from prayer, which would be 
like telling you all that ever you did : for we are not ignor- 
ant of his devices. But let me exhort you not to let either 
business, or company, or pleasure, or fear, or shame, or any 
thing else, keep you from prayer, and reading the Bible, 
and strktly keeping the sabbath : and then I know the Lord 
will be your teacher and Saviour. And let me beg you to 
begin family worship, reading a chapter and prayer, once 
a day at least though, if once begun, I hope you will find 
the comfort and benefit of it too much to rest satisfied with 
once ; and that you will no more want exhorting to morn- 
ing and evening family worship, than you will to take your 
meals at regular times. For this you may use a book at 
first : though I hope the Lord will soon teach you by de- 
grees to do without one. I have much more to say upon 
this subject ; but a hint must suffice at present. Prayer is 
this ; to look into the Bible, and see what God has prom- 
ised : to look into our own hearts, and ask ourselves what 
we want : and to look up to God to give us what we want 
and he has promised, as the purchase of Christ's blood ; ex-» 
pecting that, though we are most unworthy, yet he will be 
as good as his word. — Whatever you may determine about 
public or family worship, I think you cannot but allow that, 
for secret prayer, if you have the teaching of God's Spirit, 
you must know what you want without a book, as well as 
with one : and words are nothing ; the heart is all : and 
they who are not taught by God's Spirit may read prayers, 

but cannot pray 

" Since you left us our poor little boy has been very bad 
again, and I thought we should have lost him too : but the 

Lord is gracious, and he has at length restored him.^ , 

Numbers here and at Ravenstone have had the fever ; but 
none have died since our poor dear babe.t The small-pox 

is very fatal at Olney :T but we are preserved yet As 

to the money afiair, the Lord's will be done. I shall have, 

to a farthing, as much as is good for me 

" Yours affectionately, 

" Thomas ScotT." 

^* Weston Underwood, November 2, 1780. 
^' DEAR BROTHER, 

" It is no small surprise and concern to both myself 
and your sister, that we have never for so long a time 

* Life, pp. 95, t lb. p. 98. +Ib.pl10. 



11.] BROTHER m LAW. Sb 

heard any thing from you. I have waited from one week 
to another, expecting a letter exery post, till I am almost 
ready to conclude that either you have totally forgotten us, 
or have determined never to write to us any more. How 
is this ? Have we offended in any thing ? This I cannot 
suspect ; for I am not at all conscious of having done any 
thing to give offence, except an over-anxious assiduity for 
what I judge (as doth your conscience,) your best welfare : 
nor do I think you are likely to be offended with me, be- 
lieving you to be both good-natured and sufficiently partial 
to me, and satisfied of the uprightness of my intentions.— 
May I conjecture the reason ? If I am mistaken, I hope you 
will not be offended, as I am solicitous about you, and 
fearful lest hy any means the tempter have tempted you^ and 
my labor should he in vain / which to me would be a great 
grief,- and to you — I cannot express what. — ^Is not the case 
thus ? When you had got home and engaged afresh in 
worldly business, and got again among former companions, 
were you not carried away with the stream ? Your impres- 
sions gradually wearing off, and conscience making fainter 
and fainter resistance, hath not your goodness proved 
like the morning dew that posseth away ? Have not the 
cares of this worlds and the deceitfulness of riches^ and the 
lusts of other things^ choked the word^ and prevented its 
bringing forth any fruit to perfection ? Hath not this ren- 
dered reflection, especially on what you heard, saw, and 
thought at Weston, painful ? and therefore, because you 
do not well knov/ what to say in answer to my last, you 
delay answering it from time to time. — I have so large 
an experience of the deceitfulness of my own heart, of sin, 
and of the world, of its enchanting, bewitching wiles, and 
of Satan's snares and traps ; and have seen so many such 
things as this, that I cannot but suspect it : especially as 
you are not statedly under that preaching, which is calcu- 
lated to rub off the rust and dulness that we are all apt to 
contract in our converse with a wicked world. — Oh how 
glad should I be to find myself mistaken in this ! for God 
is my record how earnestly I long after you in the bozvels of 
Jesus Christ : that I do bear a true brotherly affection to- 
wards you, long for your welfare, and not wholly forget to 
pray for you, and still hope that my prayers shall be an- 
swered. Let me, I beg, hear from you ; and let the Lord 
hear from you. If the case be as I fear, oh read and think 
over the parable of the returning prodigal, and take his 



36 LETTERS TO MRS. SCOTT's [No. 

wise resolution : follow his example, and you shall have a 
like success. But remember who has said, If any man 
draw hack J my soul shall have no pleasure in him ; and, The 
last state of that man is worse than the first ; and. It were 
better not to have known the loay of righteousness^ thauj af- 
ter having Icnown it^ to turn from the holy commandment. — 
The Lord now waits to he gracious ; but read the latter part 
of the first chapter of Proverbs. — Forgive my earnestness : 
I know the importance of the case, and wish you as well as 
my own soul. Believe me, the ways of Christ are pleas- 
ant7iess and all his paths peace, 

" I this morning received a letter from your excellent 
sister. She has been very ill, but wonderfully happy in 
her ajSOIicrion. She says, ' My body was weak, and full of 
pain ; but my soul was strengthened with the comforts of a 
merciful God. I had no choice to live or die, but that it 
might be which way was most for the glory of God. When 
I was on my expected death-bed, nature seemed to mourn 
at the thoughts of being separated from my dear parents 
and friends ; but the Lord soon made that no trouble to me, 
by assuring me that to depart and he with Christ was far 
better,^ Would you, dear brother, have this peace and joy 
upon a sick and dying bed ? Would you die the death of the 
righteous ? (Who would not ?) Then let nothing divert you 
from living their life We have had the children inoc- 
ulated,* and they are recovered ; but John has been very 
bad since of an ague, with dangerous symptoms, but he is 
now recovering ; the Lord being gracious unto us, that we 

might not have sorrow upon sorrow Believe me to be 

with best wishes, your most affectionate brother, 

" Tho-MAs Scott.'' 

" VVestou Underwood, January 11, 1781. 

"ditar brother, 

" This morning I took pen in hand to answer your 
former letter upon a half-sheet, not purposing to say very 
much upon religious matters : but, when I had about half- 
done, I received your last ; on which I threw the former [ 
letter into the fire, and have begun on a larger scale, beingJ 
encouraged thereby to speak more freely and fully on thej 

vastly important subject 

" And now for the most agreeable and suitable subjecti 
of your letters. I rejoice exceedingly at what you tell! 

* Life, p. lit. 



II.] brothj:r in law* S7 

me concerning yourself. I would not say too much in the 
way of encouragement, I will not venture to say that 
you are in a state of grace; that you are converted; I have 
seen hopeful awakenings wear off; therefore be jealous of 
yourself: Se not high-minded^ hut fear ; jjr ess forward jfor^ 
getting the things that are behind.^ and reaching forth to the 
things that are hefore : but I will venture to say, that your 
last letter has made my heart leap for joy, and led me 
confidently to hope for a happy issue, an effectual answer 
to the many prayers I have, and 3^our sister has offered 
for you. I hope in time all will be answered. — In a for- 
mer letter you mentioned the world being too much for 
you, and you hint at the same again. I hope God will 
give you thdii faith ivhich overcometh the world j which can- 
not otherwise be overcome : but the foliov/ing considera- 
tions may be in God's hand a means of good. Man is a 
creature capable of eternal happiness or eternal misery : 
the few years of his life here bear no more, nor so much 
proportion to his whole duration, as one moment doth to a 
million of ages : consequently all the interest and pleas- 
ure of a man's life in this world bear not so much propor- 
tion to his eternal interests, as the value of a grain of 
wheat does to the empire of the universe. How infatu- 
ated therefore, must we be, to give that the preference in 
our choice, which in our judgment we perceive to be infi- 
nitely contemptible and worthless in the comparison. In 
temporal concerns we are more wise, and know how to 
proportion our estimation of things to the time we are to 
enjoy them ; and are not w^illing to give so much for a din- 
ner at a nobleman's sable, or a walk in his park, as we 
would for the inheritance of his estate. How blind and 
perverse and depraved therefore must man by nature be, 
who universally, in things spiritual and eternal, acts con- 
trary to this plain dictate of common sense ! — Besides, god* 
liness ha^ the promise of this life^ as well as of that ivhich is 
to come : and we are likely to have as much comfort in the 
world, wben the only wise God manages and chooses for 
us, as when we poor short-sighted worms undertake to 
choose and manage for ourselves, and take not only the 
doing of our business into our own hands, but anxiously 
perplex ourselves about the event. Seek first the kingdom 
of God^ S^c, 

" Again, you speak of the reproach of the world. Re- 
joice in it. What, are you unwilling to be put upon a 

4 



3S LETTERS TO MRS. SCOTT'S [No. 

footing with apostles and prophets, yea, with your master 
himself? Can you be more highly honoured than by such 
reproach ? The spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you. 
If you are reviled for Christ in this world, you shall be 
acknowledged by Christ in another, with every circum- 
stance of honour, before the assembled world, amidst ap- 
plauding angels ; while the wicked despisers shall wonder 
and perish, and gnash their teeth in envy, rage, and de- 
spair, curse their folly, and despise themselves to eternity, 
infinitely more than they now pretend to despise you. 
Pretend, I say ; for, if you are consistent, and live like a 
Christian, they will reverence you in their hearts, and 
shew it by being under visible restraint in your company, 
while they pretend to laugh at you. — Further, as a man of 
business and a moral man, you have learned to despise the 
jeers of drunkards, and those unhappy wTCtches who, for 
momentary gratification, entail temporal disease and pov- 
erty on themselves. You see thcit their conduct is madness 
and folly, and that your sobriety and industry are compar- 
ative w^isdom. Now in the eye of God, and of the truly 
godly, the most worldly-wise man on earth is no less a fool 
and a madman, if not rich toivards God, Learn to consider 
as such those who, for the unsatisfactory enjoyment and 
interest of time, (a very moment,) forfeit the pure pleas- 
ures and enjoyments of eternity : and the laughter of fools 
and madmen will excite your pity, and incline you to pray 
for them, rather than give you much uneasiness. I will 
in this respect assure you that this trial, though sharp at 
first, and a great snare to you, will, if you are enabled 
steadily to withstand it, soon be over. The world will be 
weary of despising you : and, if not, you will grow totally 
indifl'erent about it ; yea you will rejoice that you are counted 
loorthy to suffer shame for Him, who endured the cross for 
you. 

" Again, you have trials which come still nearer. I am 
sorry for them, but not surprised at them. You must ex- 
pect such things, if you become Christ^s disciple. He that 
loveth father or mother more than me^ is not icorthy of me. 
But whosoever forsaheth all/br my sake and thegospeVs^ shall 
receive a hundred fold more in this present time^ and in the 
world to come eternal life. In the mean time much meek- 
ness, and great tenderness and respect, with but little said ; 
.a persevering firmness in the line of duty, together with 
maoy prayers offered in secret ; will probably be of blessed 



II.] BROTHER IN LAW. 39 

consequence, in the Lord's timOj — which it behoves you to 
wait. 

" Again, many think there is no occasion to make so 
much to do about religion. If the acquisition of £10,000 
a-year were in prospect, these same persons would think 
you could not be too active, and earnest, and circumspect, 
and careful, to miss no opportunities, and to leave no flaws. 
How much better is the inheritance of the children of God, 
than that of d£ 10,000 a-year ? Therefore, how much more 
commendable to give all diligence and care to make all 
sure ; and rather to overdo than run hazards. — Not that 
worldly business is to be neglected ; for it is a part of our 
duty, and we are God's servants therein, who are to be 
diligent. 

"You seem sensible of your sinful lost condition, and 
need of total conversion ; but are not affected with these 
things as you suppose others are, and as you ought to be. 
It is right to be so : we have all need to be vastly more af- 
fected than we are : but be not discouraged : it is vastly 
better than being much affected, and resting in that, or be- 
ing proud of it. 

" As I have no room to say all that is in my mind, let me 
hear from you as snnn ae yow can, and I will write again. 
In the mean time, neglect not prayer ; read your Bible ; 
think much of eternity ; keep out of scoffing company ; omit 
no opportunities of hearing the word of God ; and let noth- 
ing cause you to drop family worship. Love to sister 

— — May she be the mother of a Samuel!^ Assure 

her, that, when I want her to be very religious, I want her 
to be very happy, as I am. We wish you all a happy new 
year. 

" Your affectionate brother and friend, 

" Thos. Scott." 

The next letter, dated Weston, February 15, 1781, relates 
chiefly to Olney, of which he was about to become curate, 
and is inserted in the Life.t 



*^ Olney, July 4, 1781. 
" DEAR BROTHER, 

" That I may not delay in the midst of my engage- 
ments, I must content myself with writing a little, and post- 

''• Sam. i,2^„. I Page 136. 



40 LETTERS TO MRS. SCOTT^S [No. 

poning a more full answer to many things in your letter till 
another opportunity. We rejoice in the birth of your 
daughter. My prayer is that sl>e may live, if the Lord be 
pleased to spare her, to be — -what ? a lady riding in a coach ? 
No : a good Christian, one who lives the life of faith, walk- 
ing with God, glorifying him, and serving her generation in 
whatever station the providence of God places her ; that at 
length, when a few, few years are gone, she, you, and her 
mother, &c. and I and mine, may all meet in the realms 
above, to sing the song of poor redeemed sinners, To him 
that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his 02cn 
bloody and hath made tis kings and priests unto God, be 
glory and dominion for ever and ever : Amen, — As to sis- 
ter I can only desire that she may be enabled to speak 

the language of the hundred and sixteenth psalm, appoint- 
ed to be read on such occasions, with the same spirit of 
faith, love, and gratitude, with which the pslamist pen- 
ned it 

" You have asked me some questions which I cannot now 
fully answer : but a hint I will drop. To take up our crossy 
I apprehend means this : simply to follow the Lord in the 
path of duty, and patiently and cheerfully to bear every 
thing which in that path wo meet with ; whether it be re* 
proach, contempt, worldly loss, poverty, hatred, persecu- 
tion, temptation : not to be diverted from the path of duty 
by any of these things ; but, when adherence to known 
duty requires it, and God by his word and providence calls 
for it, to be willing to part with friends, substance, char- 
acter, ease, life itself; assured that the Lord is able to 
compensate all losses, and to make amends for every trial. 
It is called the cross, because that death of the cross, which 
Jesus our pattern, as well as ransom, suffered, was then 
accounted the very sum and substance of what could be 
endured in this world : and, if a man was willing to carry 
a cross, and be nailed to it, for Christ's sake, as Christ car- 
ried his, he then assuredly would flinch from no other suf- 
fering. 

" You say there are many opinions. Thank God for 
your Bible ; read it much ; and form both your sentiments 
and conduct upon it. Thank God for a throne of grace, 
and a promise that, if any man icill do the ivill of God, he 
shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, Plead this 
day by day in prayer, and the Lord will teach you. I know 
some about you are too fond of controversy ; but keep yoi:^ 



A 



II.] BROTHER IN LAW* 41 

to your Bible and the throne of grace : and, when time 
serves, I will drop you a hint on such matters as I judge to 
be important. 

" As to your frequenting the Lord's table, you are uncom- 
fortably circumstanced ; and yet I think I should advise you 
to go ; but not without much preceding prayer, remember- 
ing that it is a solemn acceptance of Christ as your Lord and 
Saviour, and surrender of yourself to him, to be his for ever, 
and to live to his glory. 

" That you have need to cry instantly and constantly to 
the Lord, to hold you up that you may he safe^ is certain, 
and you are sure to fall hurtfully, when you neglect it ; but, 
if you are truly the Lord's, while you do this, you are not to 
distress yourself about the final issue ; for he hath engaged 
not to let you fall fatally. Christ will not let Satan pluck 
his sheep out of his hand. They are kept by the power of 
God through faith unto salvation. Only give diligence to 
make your calling and election sure. Those who are spo- 
ken of in the scripture you mention were never truly con- 
verted, but only outwardly changed 

•^^ Yours affectionately, 

" Thos. Sgott.'* 

"Olney, July 21, 1784. 
" DEAR BROTHER, 

" After long waiting, I received your letter, and am 
sincerely glad and thankful that the Lord has made my sis- 
ter the living mother of a living son : and I as sincerely 
wish and pray that he may live to be a comfort to you ; 
which he will be most likely to be, if you and his mother do 
really, and heartily, and daily, bring him by faith and 
prayer to the Lord Jesus, that he may lay his hands upon 
him and bless him. Bring him and dedicate him to the 
Lord ; and then he will do by you as Pharaoh's daughter 
did by Moses' mother ; he will bid you take him home, and 
bring him up for him ; and he too will reward you for bring- 
ing up your children for him. I hope, dear brother, now 
the Lord is increasing your family, you will be the more 
careful in praying for them and with them, setting them a 
good example, and, as they become capable of it, giving 
them every godly instruction ; remembering that they are 
to live for ever either in happiness or misery ; and that God 
has said. Train up a child in ihe way that he should go^ 
and when he is old he will not depart from it. — I hope, dear 

4* 



42 LETTERS TO -\fRS. SCOTt's [No. 

brother, you will cease from your over anxiety about the 
world, and about growing ricb. which will infallibly prevent 
you from being ri>:h towards God, and cause you to be Dke 
that rich man whom Christ mentions, and calls a fooL in 
the twelfth chapter of Luke. You have had frequent con- 
victions, and have several times been almost persuaded 
to he a Christian : but let me in love a-sk yoiu yea ask 
your own heart, Have you gone any fiu-ther : Are you al- 
together a Christian ? Do you in judgment, r^w/if all things 
but dH?ig that ^ou may itin Christ f Do you in practice 
seek first the ki^igdom of God and his righteousness^ Do 
you stand prepared to leave all. deny yourself, and follow 
Clirist, when called to it ? Are you weaned from outward 
things, so as in temper and aCection to have left them ; 
possessing them as though you possessed them not, using 
them as not abusing thtnij seeing the fashion of this icorld 
passeth away ? Do you actually leave for Christ all that 
your conscience admonishes you to leave, whether profit, 
pleasure, company, credit, friendship, or whatsoever it be 
that entangles and ensnares you, and prevents your simply 
following Jesus whiliiersoever he calleth you ? Are you 
looking to him to bless you, zVz turning you away fr^m your 
iniquities ? or to the world to satisfy you in making provis- 
ion for your lusts r True Christianity, dear brother, re- 
quires all this, and much more; and I vm jealous over yon 
with a godly Jealousy. I hope you will not only excuse 
me. but love me the better, for thus anxiously desiring and 
seeking your salvation. I greatly fear your heart is yet 
thorny ground. aiKl that, though the good seed has seeming- 
ly taken root and sprung up. yet the cares etfthis icorld. the 
deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things, choke 
the word, and it becometh uufruitfuL If so. go directly to 
Jesus Christ, and beg of him to make your heart good 
ground, that the s€*€d may henceforth spring up. and bring 
forth a hundred fold. Your long silence, and making no 
mention of the precious Saviour and your precious soul in 
your last, give me much re:^son to suspect. Oh. for your 
soul's sake, spread this letter before the Lord, and spend an 
hour or two in reliectinsf, examining, praying over it. If j 
you could gain the whole world and lose your own soul, 
what would it profit? Oh, mind the one thin^ nexdful/ Be i 
diligent in true religion ! Seek grace to make you a faithful i 
follower of the Lamb ! and then you will find that peace and 
joy which you now in vain seek in a deceitful world.— Write 



IL] BROTHER IN LAW. 43 

soon, and let me hear good news of you and your^s ; that 
you really love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. My wife 
joins in love and prayers with 

" Your truly loving brother, 

'^ Thos. Scott.'^ 



"Olney, April 9, 1785. 
^' DEAR BROTHER, 

"I OWN I have not paid proper attention to your 
postscript, or I should have answered your letter sooner. 
But I have had many engagements, and am frequently in- 
disposed, and, alas ! more frequently indolent. I have wait- 
ed some time lately in expectation of , intending to 

send some letters, and some copies of a sermon I published 
on the thanksgiving day : but, now the time is come, I have 
only this evening to prepare, and am but poorly in health, 
and not capable of writing much. I should have been glad 
if it had been deferred about a fortnight longer, as I could 
then have sent you a parcel of books that are now printing 
— on Repentance. But that must be deferred. The ser- 
mons I now send you you may lend, and give among your 
fi^ends, as you see good ; and I am not desirous of selling 
one, as the printer is paid, and I am no loser : but, if I send 
you some of the Discourse upon Repentance, you must sell 
them ; because I publish them so cheap, that, if most of 
them are not sold, I shall be money out of pocket, besides 
jxvy labor ; which I cannot afford. 

" But to come to more important matters. I was much 
pleased with your last letter ; and was thereby encouraged 
to pray with more earnestness for you all. I do not know 

Mr. ; but like your account of him, and your sister's ; 

for I suppose it relates to the same person. I hope you 
will all value and improve the opportunity of hearing sta- 
tedly a faithful minister of Jesus Christ : and he doers of the 
wordj an"d not hearers ordyj deceiving^ not others, but your 
own selves. Of the rich mercy of our offended God, all 
things which the vilest slave of sin and Satan needs, in or- 
der to be made accepted, holy, and happy to eternity, are 
laid up in Christ, as in a treasury ; the purchase of his aton- 
ing blood, the fruit of his availing intercession. All this is 
revealed and proposed to us in the word of God, and 
we are most pressingly invited and entreated to partake of 
it, as the gift of God to us. Nothing then is wanting to 
complete our blessedness, but such a view of our own 



44 LETTERS TO MRS. SCOTT'S [No 

wretchedness and vileness, and of the suitableness and pre- 
ciousness of the blessings thus freely offered us, and of the 
propriety and glory of the way and manner in which alone 
a holy offended God will bestow them, as shall render us 
willing to accept them, and sincere and diligent in seeking 
them. But we are naturally proud and carnal : because 
we are proud, we like not the humbling plan of being sav- 
ed in the character of condemned sinners : because we are 
carnal, we despise spiritual blessings in comparison with 
worldly interests and gratifications, which w^e must forego 
for them. Therefore we must he horn again : and, except 
a man he horn again^ he can neither see^ nor enter into the 
kingdom of heaven. But, when once our eyes are opened 
to behold the glory of that God, from whom we have re- 
volted ; the relations and obligations we are under to him ; 
the hatefulness of every sin ; our own sinfulness, and the 
world's vanity and insufficiency ; then we begin to repent 
of sin, and cry for mercy ; then we understand the worth 
of eternal things, and the value of our souls : then we see 
the need we have of an infinite redeemer and sanctifier : 
then a man perceives the nature and glory of the gospel, 
and Jesus becomes precious to his soul : he feels innumer- 
able wants, and he sees no other source of supply : he sees 
by faith a fulness in Christ : the word of God assures him 
he is welcome to all he wants : he is invited and command- 
ed to ask, that he may receive : he says. Lord teach me to 
pray ! he begins to ask and to receive ; persists in the midst 
of discouragements and hindrances, and continues to re- 
ceive ; and, the more he receives, the more he hungers 
and thirsts, and the more his desires and Ccipacities of re- 
ceiving are enlarged. Thus he receives from Christ daily ; 
he lives to him, constrained by love ; grows more like 
him ; hates sin more, and despises the world more^* and 
thus glorifies God here, and is ripening for the enjoyment 
of him hereafter. In this w^ay I hope you and your dear 
wife are beginning to walk. Be assured that you are wel- 
come to all the unsearchahle riches of Ch?^ist, if you desire 
them, and ask for them. Ash, therefore, and receive, that 
your joy may he full. 

My younger son has been ill above this quarter of a year, 
but is recovering. My wife joins in love. 

" Pray for your's, 

"T. SCOTT.'^ 



II.] BROTHER IN LAW. 45 

The reader cannot possibly, I think, rise from the pe- 
rusal of this series of letters without being struck with 
the piety, zeal, faithfulness, wisdom, and affection, which 
so eminently distinguish them. One is struck also with 
the freshness of impression with which they exhibit fun- 
damental doctrines, and with the vividness of their descrip- 
tion of the earlier stages of Christian experience. In short, 
they strikingly illustrate the character of the writer's 
religion. They are remote, indeed, from "that wretched 
quality, by which the sacred name of charity is now so 
generally and so falsely usurped, and which is no other than 
indifference ; which against the plainest evidence, or at 
least when there is strong ground of apprehension, is 
easily contented to believe that all goes on well, because it 
has no anxieties to allay, no fears to repress :'' but they 
abound with that " true charity" which is " wakeful, fer- 
vent, full of solicitude, full of good offices, not so easily 
satisfied, not so ready to believe that every thing is going 
on well as a matter of course ; but jealous of mischief, apt 
to suspect danger, and prompt to extend relief.''* — They 
are equally remote also from that indiscriminate religion^ 
whose first object seems to be, to inspire consolation rather 
than to produce safety ; and which, unscripturally confound- 
ing faith with personal assurance of salvation, seems at 
least, to press upon every one a confidence of his own 
good state, and acts as if no evil were so prevalent, or so 
much to be deprecated, as doubting of our own present ac- 
ceptance with God. The writer of these letters hesitates 
not to address our fears, as well as our hopes, and brings 
every scriptural principle and consideration, and not one 
only, to bear upon us, each in its proper place and direc- 
tion. — We may apply in this connexion, his own observa- 
tion made many years after, in speaking of Mr. Hart's 
Hymns : " To doubt the truth of God's word, or the power 
and willingness of Christ to save all that truly come to him, 
is direct unbelief : but to doubt whether / come aright, and 
am a true believer, when many things in my experience and 
conduct seem inconsistent with the life of faith and grace, 
is the grand preservative against delusion, and incitement to 
watchfulness, self-examination, and circumspection. And 
the same is the case with respect to fear."t 

* Wilberforce's Pract. View, c. vii, § 1. f See Letter in Life, p. 233. 



No. III. 

LETTERS TO THE SISTERS OF THE PRECED- 
ING CORRESPONDENT. 



1783—1784. 



To Mrs, JR., described in the Author^s Life as his ^' Friend 
in Northumberland.^^* 

*' Olney, April 15, 1783. 
'^DEAR COUSIN^ 

" When your letter came to hand, I was in Lincoln- 
shire, whence I returned on the 19th. of last month : and, 
the very day I arrived at home, it pleased the Lord to begin 
to afflict me with my very common asthmatical complaint, 
which I had very bad, and with several relapses ; so that, 
though I was never quite laid by, so as not to preach on- 
the Lord's day, yet was brought low, and am scarcely re-^ 
covered yet. This is the only reason of my so long delay- 
ing to answer your letter. 

'' I had a very comfortable journey, found my friends, 
more cordial, and more disposed to give me a patient hear- 
ing than I expected, and some of them treading the ways 
of the Lord ; others somewhat hopeful. I had a door of 
utterance opened unto me beyond expectation, and re- 
turned home full of sanguine hopes that some good would 
be done by my journey. This it seems, was more than 
my poor foolish heart could bear : there needed some bit- 
ter to qualify and counteract all this sweet ; some physic 
after so much feasting. Therefore my wise and kind Phy- 
sician, (having in mercy brought me home first,) immedi- 
ately discerning the danger, applied the remedy, and 1 
am very base if I do not heartily thank him for it. (2 Cor. 
xii, 1—10.) 

" This you will find in your experience continually (sup- 
posing, as I verily believe, that you are the Lord's, and 

* A small part of this Letter hj^s appealed in the Life, p. 118, 



No. III.] LETTERS TO MRS. R. &t. 47 

longing after nearness and conformity to hinij) either^ in a 
way of providence, by outward things, or in his dealings 
with your soul in respect to inward exercises. When he 
sees that, by needful chastisements, disappointments, temp- 
tations, and humbling experimental discoveries of the bad- 
ness of our hearts, we are drooping, and beginning to yield 
to discouragement ; our hands to hang down, and our knees 
to wax feeble ; our minds to be heartless in duty, and dis- 
pirited about means, as if praying, reading, hearing, avail- 
ed nothing ; then he will give us some cordial, something 
to encourage our hopes, to cheer and strengthen us, and en- 
able us to run and not he weary ^ to walk and not faint ; 
yea, to sing in the ways of the Lord. But, when our gra- 
cious Lord sees that, by having our desires in outward 
things, a freedom from trials and temptations, and much 
liberty and comfort in religion, our silly hearts begin to be 
lifted up ; that we grow prone to self-confidence, and self- 
preference, and to shine in our own eyes as something bet- 
ter and more excellent than others, as persons of some em- 
inence or importance ; or, when he sees us cleaving to 
earthly things, idolizing them, or growing unwatchful ; he 
will soon, in his love, and care, and wisdom, send us some 
salutary affliction, temptation, or bitter humbling experi- 
ence, and it is a mercy if we are not left, as Hezekiah was, 
by some outward sin to learn the depth of the depravity of 
our hearts. Now, I suppose, by your letter, that you are 
learning these lessons in your experience, and that I am 
only telling you what you knew before ; but with this ad- 
vantage, that I state it before you as the Lord's dealing with 
those he loves ; and endeavour to point out to you that 
there is unspeakable wisdom and grace in this his manage- 
ment, to keep us at once humble and thankful, and in good 
measure joyful ; that you may take the comfort of it, and 
give him the praise. You have nothing to do but to keep 
close to the means, especially reading the word, and prayer ; 
to avoid sin and temptation as much as you can, and to 
follow after holiness as the grand blessing in time and eter- 
nity ; seeking it from Christ by faith and prayer, as the 
purchase of his blood, and the fruit of his intercession : and 
in this way, which is your part, leave all the rest to the 
Lord, and give him credit for it that he will manage all 
for you well and wisely, faithfully and graciously. And, if 
in this way your experience teaches you to think more and 
more highly of the Lord, and more and inore meanly of 



48 LETTERS TO MRS. R. [No. 

yourself, and of all your attainments, this is all right, for it 
is according to the truth : for He is infinitely great and 
good, glorious and lovely, and we are much meaner and 
viler than can be expressed, or than we any of us in this 
world think ourselves to be. This also will make us more 
and more humble and self-denied ; more full of reverence 
of his majesty, love of his excellency, delight in his suffi- 
ciency, gratitude for his mercies, zeal for his glory, submis- 
sion to his will, confidence in his love, and devotedness to 
his service ; which is the very temper of a child, the spirit 
of adoption^ whereby the Spirit ivitnesseth ivith our spirit 
that we are the children of God,^^ 

jTo another Sister, 

ON THE KNOWLEDGE OF PARDON— AND THE 
WITNESS OF THE SPIRIT. 

Ohiey, May 22, 1783. 

— '^ Your sister, having had my letters blessed of God 
to her soul, has an opinion that they would be attended with 
the same blessing to you. She has, therefore, begged me 
to write to you. Whether the Lord will be pleased to own 
the feeble attempt or not, I cannot tell : but both my gen- 
eral regard to ail who love the Lord, and my particular at- 
tachment to your family, and my being a de-jtor to ail to 
do them ail the good in my povvor, incline me to maive the 
trial, and to give ^'ou my thoughts on the subjects proposed. 
And may the Lord teach me to speak a word in season, 
which may both relieve and profit your soul, and teach you 
how to be helpful to others in like perplexities ! 

^'The two main things that your sister mentions are 
these : 1. Others know the time when, and the place w^here, 
the Lord spake peace to their souls ; but you do not. 2. 
Others have the witness of the spirit ; but you do not know 
any thing of it. 

" Now, in our day, there is a vast outcry among the un- 
godly against enthusiasm, and every thing in diligent reli- 
gion is branded with that name. Would to God care w^erc 
taken among ministers and Christians to guard against the 
thing itself, while they treat with neglect unjust censures 
about it ! — Believe me, there is a great deal of enthusi^sti- 
cal delusion in this matter : and those things which you are 



HI.] AND HER SISTER. 49 

desirous of, and troubled at wanting^ are, in their sense of 
them, unscriptural ; and give Satan an occasion of deluding 
some, and distressing others. By setting up false eviden- 
ces of conversion, and overlooking the true ones, many 
think they are converted, who are only stony-ground 
hearers : they have these false evidences, and are more 
confident than conscientious. Others that are humble, and 
tender in conscience, but paying an undue regard to these 
false evidences, distress themselves because they want 
them. Now, though true Christians sometimes have them, 
yet hypocrites are much more likely to have them ; they 
being such as Satan can counterfeit, and doth counterfeit to 
deceive and lull asleep persons under some convictions, but 
not converted: — as, for example, words brought to the 
mind, wondrous sights to the imagination, pleasing feelings 
in the soul. 

" Now, though, in some cases, persons may know the 
time and the place, both when they were awakened, and 
when they were comforted ; yea, when they were brought 
to submit to God's righteousness in their condemnation, 
notwithstanding all their endeavors, and to cast themselves 
on his free mercy through the blood of Jesus, and to see 
his whole character and conduct lovely, and Christ pre- 
cious, and his salvation glorious, and holiness beautiful, and 
his service perfect freedom ; yet it is not generally thus. 
At first^ knowledge is usually scanty, experiences are in- 
distinct, and views of divine things are confused, and mixed 
with inconsistency. Then shall ye know^ if ye follow on to 
know the Lord : his going forth is prepared as the morn^ 
ing. Now in the morning the day dawns, a glimmering 
beam diffuses itself; but it is dusk still, and objects are in- 
distinctly perceived : but gradually it grows lighter. Thus 
it commonly is with true Christians. — In time they find that 
these effects are produced: and, if they are certainly produ- 
ced, it matters not whether we know when or where. If 
God hath shewn you the strictness and goodness of the law, 
and your obligations as his creature to love and obey him 
according to it, so as to convince you that, by nature and 
practice, you are an inexcusable skinner, deserving of his 
wrath ; that none of your doings can make him your debt- 
or, or give you any claim upon his justice, or make it un- 
just in him to condemn you : if you see your best deeds to 
be sinful, and to need forgiveness; and, seeing this, take 
the blame to yourself cast yourself on free mercy, as a 

5 



^0 LETTERS TO MRS. R* [No. 

justly condemned sinner ; see a suitableness in God's way 
of saving sinners, through the infinitely valuable obedience 
and atonement of Emmanuel, honoring the law, and satis- 
fying justice in our stead, that he might he just^ and the 
justijier of the ungodly : if you have thus learnt to see God's 
whole character lovely, — that one so great and glorious, so 
holy and just, should be so compassionate, merciful, and 
loving: if, in this way, you have learned to hate sin, to love 
holiness, and follow after it, and to be humbled, ashamed, 
and grieved that 3'ou are no more holy ; to feel a spirit of 
cordial love to God's character, government, and gospel, 
gratitude to him for his mercies, zeal for his glory ; want- 
ing others to know, love, serve, and enjoy his favor; con- 
sidering his cause as your's ; being grieved when his name 
is dishonored, and rejoicing in the prosperity of religion; 
praying from your heart the beginning of the Lord's 
prayer: — if this has taught you to desire to be patient in 
trouble, to be contented in your station, to depend on his 
providence, to adorn his gospel, and live to his glory ; yow 
then have the substantial evidences of conversion, such as 
they who have the most of the others have in general little 
of. This filial spirit toward God is the spirit of adoption ; 
the seal of the Spirit ^ which the devil can neither break nor 
counterfeit ; the earnest of the Spirit^ a part of heaven 
brought down into the soul as a pledge of the whole. And, 
when the Holy Ghost brings these implanted graces into 
lively vigorous exercise, then he witnesses loith our spirits 
that we are God^s children ; and not by any words brought 
to the mind, as many are deluded to believe. The latter, 
Satan can counterfeit, and it has nothing divine in it : the 
former is divine, from God, and leading to God. 

" Finally, keep close to the Bible, and to the throne of 
grace, and bring all doctrines to that standard, and never 
prize or trust to, or grieve in the want of, what is unscrip- 
tural, — If what I write be of any use- to you, I shall be glad 
to hear from you, and will endeavour to satisfy your mind 
in any other difficulty. You are also at liberty to commu- 
nicate the contents to any other, if you think they may do 
good. Let nothing discourage you. If you are not sure 
that you have experienced what I have mentioned, only go 
on in the use of means : An open door is set before you. 
and no man can shut it. There is love enough in 
Christ's heart, merit enough in his blood, power enough 
in his arm; knowledge and wisdom enough treasured up in 



in.] AND HER SISTER. 51 

him, to supply all the wants of the poorest, guiltiest, most 
polluted, most foolish, and weakest of sinners. Of his ful- 
nessy have all we received ; and, Let him that is athirst 
come ; and whosoever will^ let him come and take of the 
water of life freely. 

^* Your sincere friend, 

" and I hope brother in Christ Jesus, 

" Thomas Scott." 

To the former Sister^ Mrs, R. 

«^01ney,May6;l784. 
" We ought to have that hearty desire after the spir- 
itual good of our friends and relatives which may put life 
into our prayers for them, and endeavours about them : but, 
kt me observe, we may run into an extreme, when our 
anxiety is so great as to produce a spirit contrary to im- 
plicit submission to the divine sovereignty. Be still and 
know that I am God, This is no debt he owes us ; and 
therefore, if h^ refuses, he expects jour acquiescence : and, 
in this acquiescence, a great part of our loving Christ more 
than father or mother ^ and all the nearest relatives, consists. 
Thus, when Nadab and Abihu died in their transgression, 
Aaron held his peace, Eli honoured his sons more than 
God : yet, being convinced, humbled, and penitent, he said, 
It is the Lordy let him do what seemeth him good. Nor can 
we entirely excuse David of blame, for his inordinate 
grief for the death of rebellious Absalom. There was a 
want of submission to the sovereignty of God, in whose 
justice, holiness, wisdom, goodness, he ought to have im- 
plicitly acquiesced ; and to have accounted his own petty 
personal concerns, however near to him, as nothing in com- 
parison with the glory of the great God, before whom all 
the inhabitants of the earth dire less than nothing and van-* 
ity, God will do no injustice to any ; he delighteth in 
mercy : but he delighteth not in the death of a sinner. He 
hath allowed and encouraged us to pray for our friends : 
frequently, in infinite condescension, he heareth and an- 
swereth these prayers. He may answer them many years 
hence ; and we have still encouragement to pray on, and 
use means : if finally he doth not grant our desires, he hath 
good reasons for it, which, when hereafter we sec them, 
will satisfy us that it was wisest, and best, and most for his 
glory, and for the great en4$ of his government, that it 



52 LETTERS TO MRS. R.^ &C. [No* 

should not be : and, in the belief of this we ought to be satis- 
fied now, and to adopt the submissive language of Eli. 
The Lord hath graciously heard prayer for some of my 
relatives : others I stand in doubt of ; some are virulent op- 
posers ; and several, very near to me, are gone into eter- 
nity without giving evidence of any change. Trials of this 
kind you also must expect : and, I hope, the reasons and 
considerations I have suggested will prepare you for them. 
What a sovereign God hath done for us, personally, can 
never enough be valued and acknowledged. If he honours 
prayers and means for one and another, how great his con- 
descension and our obligation ! While we live and they 
live, let us persist in the same xneans, and hope for greater 
things : but let us beg of God that we may be preserved 
from repining, when he sees good to cross us in some part 
of these our inclinations : for, however laudable these de- 
sires are in us, we are very short-sighted, and see but a 
small part of his plan ; and, consequently, are not compe* 
tent to judge whether it be best on the whole that they 
should be gratified or ngt. Not our will hut thine he done I 

is our motto. I shall ever be happy to write a word iu 

season to you in every circumstance and sitiaatiom'^ 



No. IV* 

LETTERS TO HIS SISTERS. 

1778—1797. 

To his Brother^s Wife, 

" Weston Underwood, March 10, 1778, 
^ DEAR SISTER, 

" I RECEIVED your last kind letter, and, wonderful to 
tell, am already set down to answer it. It gives me great 
pleasure to hear so good an account of you and your fam- 
ily, and especially of your husband and your eldest son. 
May the Lord continue them both, and all the rest, long 
to you, and make them comforts to you ! For all worldly 
comforts are held by the same uncertain tenure : they may 
at any time be taken from us, and therefore it is prudeijt, 
as well as pious, to sit as loose to them as possible* or 
they may be continued to us when, on various accounts, 
they have quite ceased to be comforts. Such is this world 
and all that it contains ! It has also another bad property ; 
all things in it are unsatisfying : they may refresh, but they 
cannot fill, the capacities of an immortal soul, nor quiet 
those restless hankerings after something more, and some- 
thing better, which all anxiously seek to gratify, except 
those few who have found the one thing needful. All these 
things are against us : and, the more they teach us the 
vanity of the world, and the folly of dependence thereon, so 
much tlie more do they recommend to us that satisfying 
good, ihRt pearl of great price, which the psalmist speaks 
of when he says, The Lord is mi/ portion : the lines are fal- 
len to me in pleasant places j yea I have a goodly heritage : 
and, iho^G pleasures J and that fullness of joy , which are at 
God^s right hand for evermore. How the world sinks in 
the esteem of that man who hath set his affections on things 

5* 



54 LETTERS TO [No, 

above, and laid up his treasure in heaven, and with fuH 
purpose of heart is daily following it ; and, like Enoch, 
Noah, and Abraham^ walketh ivith God, as one friend doth 
with another. This is the most desirable thing on earth, 
as it enables us v/hile we live in, to live above the world ; 
to manage its affairs and enjoy its comforts, the same as 
others do, without having our happiness depending on, or 
exposed to the uncertainty of, things here below. While 
we are indulged with the comforts of kind friends, dear 
relatives, conveniences, &c., we taste, and are thankful for 
the goodness of God in them : but, when he who gave is 
pleased to take away, faith helps us to see goodness and 
wisdom even in his so doing ; to rest satisfied that all is 
ordered t)y a friend, who fully intends our good, who is 
infallible in counsel, and cannot mistake what is good for 
us ; and whose power is so unlimited that he can make all 
things work together for our good. We learn to consider 
all our affairs as in his hands ; his goodness and his promise 
as our security; and on that ground we rejoice even in tri- 
bulation. — How do they misunderstand religion, who are 
afraid lest being too religious should hurt their comforts, 
and lessen their enjoyments. True religion, vitally re- 
ceived into the heart, lessens nothing but our cares, per- 
plexities, anxieties, and fears. It bids us cast all our care 
upon God J who careth for us ; and to trust in him who hath 
promised never to leave us nor forsake us. It bids us, accor- 
ding to our station, to attend to the duty of every day in its 
day ; and, while we employ every prudent precaution, to 
take no anxious thought for the morrow. It teaches us to 
regard the Almighty as our friend and father ; our constant 
protector against every danger; our support under every 
trial and temptation ; our counsellor, to whom we are 
always to repair in every difficulty; our comforter under 
every trouble ; and our help in every struggle. This i^ 
religion. It calls off from vanities, and from vice ; but it 
gives us things so much better, that we no sooner taste 
them, than we lose our relish for, and are disgusted with, 
those things which we are called to renounce. It calls us 
to break off evil habits, and to perform strange things, 
like changing the negroe's skin and the leopard's spots ; 
like cutting off a right hand, or plucking out a right eye : 
but no sooner do we in good earnest set about compliance, 
fhan the mountains are removed, and the rough places 
made plain, and we find an assistance sufficient for every 



IV.] HIS SISTERS. 55 

service. Our worldly employmentSj which we before 
conducted on worldly principles, we now carry on as do- 
ing the duties of our station ; they are sanctified to us hy 
the word of God and prayer ; and whether we eat, or whe- 
ther we drink, or whatsoever we do, we do all to the glory of 
God, Thus we learn to serve God even in our ordinary 
employments^ doing them in his sight, and as unto him, and 
depending on him for a blessing. What he gives, that we 
receive^, and are thankful for it : when he withholds or 
takes away, we resign without murmuring or complaining : 
It is the Lord, let him do ivhat seemeth him good ! When 
we abound, we have to give to him that needeth ; and by 
giving to the poor, we lend unto the Lord, who has promis- 
ed- to repay us with interest. When we are in straits, we 
learn to trust in him who feedeth the young ravens that call 
upon him ; lohose are the cattle upon a thousand hills / and 
in whose hand are the hearts of all, and who never faileth 
them that trust in him, — Thus we learn to live ; and then, 
when we have learned to live and walk with God here, with- 
out the vail, we shall have little reluctance to step through, 
and walk still more closely with him within the vail. — In the 
mean time, when we read God's word, he speaks to us ; 
when we pray, we speak to him : a blessed correspondence 
is begun and carried on here, which is the earnest of what 
we shall be admitted to hereafter. 

" But how shall poor weak sinful man be admitted to this 
familiarity with the God of heaven ? Can two walk togethei^ 
except they he agreed ? — The truth is, that we are all hy na- 
ture children of wrath ; and hy ivicked works enemies imto 
God / and by transgressions of God's law under its penalty ; 
and by unholiness abominable to a holy God. But this is 
the grace and benefit of redemption. Christ suffered once 
for us, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to 
God, He reconciled us to God in one hody hy the cross. 
Being enemies ice were reconciled to God hy the death of his 

SirkJ} 7P TT tP ^ TT tP 

It is that spiritual thirst which is the only fitness required 
for our taking of the waters of life freely. That one 
word (of your's) persuades me that the Lord hath heard 
my prayers, and blessed the few words I have spoken and 
written to you upon religion. — The great hindrance to 
men's becoming true Christians is blindness to their own 
wants, and needs, and danger. They are secure and sat- 



56 LETTERS TO [No, 

isfied, and resolved to hope well, and think themselves bet- 
ter than others, and never compare the frame of their 
minds, and the tenor of their lives, with the strict and 
spiritual law of God : and therefore they see not their need 
of a Saviour, and therefcre know not how to prize him. 
But when this obstacle is removed, and men see them- 
selves to be poor, and miserable, and wretched, and blind, 
and naked, then it is easy to point out Christ the Lamb of 
God tvho taketh away the sin of the world, as an all-suffi- 
cient, all-gracious Saviour, out of whose fullness all our 
wants are to be supplied. — I must only add, that though 
these convictions (and I anri no little conversant among 
such as feel them, and I know what they mean myself,) 
are no pleasing visitants, they are happy presages. You 
may expect a struggle in passing through the strait gate. 
but, depend upon it, the narrow way^ when you have fair- 
ly entered, is a very pleasant road ; and we envy none of 
those their pleasures, who tread the broad road that leadeth 
to destruction, — I have only two reasonable directions to 
give you : 1. Trust no preacher, nor any uninspired wri- 
ter, concerning the nature of true religion ; but make it a 
rule every day to read one or more chapters of God's word, 
the New Testament chiefly : begin with St. John's Gospel, 
and the apostolic Epistles : and pray to God to enable you 
to understand. 2. As you come to see your wants, rest 
satisfied that the Lord alone can supply them ; and seek to 
him by prayer for the very thing you want. If another^s 
w^ords do not suit you, never fear to use your own; Fol- 
low these two directions heartily, and with a view to a bles- 
sing from God upon them : and, if you find they are effec- 
tual for you, as I have found them to be in my own experi- 
ence, then recommend 'them to as many others as are willing 
to hear. 

" Do not be ofiended that I treat you as a novice in reli- 
gion : I know the general form is not the power ; and I 
make no doubt that you see religion to be a very different 
thing than you once supposed. I once thought I knew 
much ; hni^hemg converted and become a little child^l only 
know how to direct neic-born babes to the sincere ir\ilk of 
the word, that they may grow thereby, — My prayers you 
are sure to have, in both your spiritual and temporal con- 
cerns : my best poor directions and instructions, if yoii find 
them worth having. You have many souls, under God, de- 
pending upon you, ^lid the Lord knows how extensive a 



IV.J tits SISTERS. 57 

blessing you may be made.— You will give my love to my 
brother : but I would have him see this letter. My wife 
joins in love and good wishes, and threatens a letter when 
our little boy can run alone, which he seems in a fair way 
to do. Love to all your little ones. — May God bless you 
all in all things is the hearty prayer of your affectionate 
brother, Thomas Scott.'^ 

The above is the only fragment I have been able to re- 
cover of a long series of letters addressed to this corres- 
pondent, and highly valued by her. The rest were allj I 
believe, destroyed after her death. 

To Mr, and Mrs, Fordy Southampton, 

Weston Underwood, September 28, 1779. 
^' DEAR BROTHER AND SISTER, 

" For I am to write in answer to a letter written in 
both your names : I had almost given up the hope of hear- 
ing from you any more when I received your's.* Once more 
I had purposed to write, that in the mouth of two witnesses 
every word might be confirmed : but I was a good deal re- 
lieved when I found that at last you were willing to write to 
me again. As to all that is past therefore I shall say and 
think no more with any degree of dissatisfaction ; and for 
the future shall be glad to be considered as a near relation ; 
whether or not the Lord answers my prayers by giving you 
access to that comfort, and those well-grounded hopes, to 
which I trust he hath admitted me.— On that subject I would 
in great measure be guided by your inclinations : for, as I 
know that a man can receive notjiing except it he given him 
of God^ I am sensible that it is not to any purpose to force 
a great deal of religious conversation or correspondence, in 
a way of controversy, upon any one. It is probable I shall 
see cause to drop hints now and then, but I shall enter no 
deeper into any matter, except as you yourselves afford mcJ 
the occasion. However at present 1 have somewhat to say 
because you say somewhat. 

" 1. You say you desire that happiness I have described, 
and should be glad of every assistance that I have it in my 
power to give. To this I answer, that that happiness is the 
gift of God to those who truly believe the gospel, walk with 
God, and hold communion with him. The blood of Christ 
fleanseth their souls from all sin : they are accepted in 
^ See Life, p. 103. 



58 LETTERS TO [No. 

the beloved ; adopted to be the children of God ; have his 
Spirit dwelling in them to sanctify and comfort them ; have 
a consolatory persuasion that all shall tcork for their good : 
they look back with humble gratitude, forward with joyful 
hope ; and inwardly supported by grace, are enabled to re- 
sign to the present trial, and leave the unseen to-morrow to 
their God. — The only assistance it is in my power to give 
you in order to your obtaining this sweet serenity, consists 
in these two things : — (l.) Telling you how I came to it — 
namely, by seeking for it in the word of God, as for hid 
treasure^ praying for the Lord to guide me to it, and receiv- 
ing by faith what the Lord there taught me. Respecting 
this, my book,* if the Lord incline your hearts to read it at- 
attentively and impartially, may give you full satisfaction. — 
(2.) By answering any questions, objections, or scruples 
you meet with, and are willing to propose, if suited to the 
bounds of a letter ; or, if not, to point out to you books 
wherein you may find them answered. — Another thing might 
be mentioned, on which I lay more stress than on both the 
others, and which I will express in Samuel's words : God 
forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray 
for you. 

" 2 Againt you say, you ' hope it is possible for a per- 
son, engaged in the concerns of the world, so to spend his 
time in his buusiness, as to be doing his duty both to God 
and man.' Assuredly it is. We are each of us to- serve 
God in that station his providence has assigned us ; except 
^s we may from good grounds conclude that he would have 
us change our station. No doubt there are some businesses 
sinful in themselves ; and in most businesses there are many 
things which an awakened conscience and an enlightened 
understanding cannot away with : but far be it from me to 
wish any person to neglect or be slothful in his business : 
for, if we do our worldly business as we ought, we are 
therein serving our generation, and glorifying our God. 
Whether ive eat^ or tchether ive drink, or whatsoever we doy 
ice are to do all to the glory of God. However by the way 
observe, that very few thus manage their worldly business. 
Of this you may judge. He who thus does his worldly 
business has it sanctified by the word of God and prayer. 
He goes about it because it is the will of God he should do 
so. He orders it all in conformity to his revealed will, as 
far as he knows it, comparing his conduct continually with 

* The Force of Truth, then lately published. 

^ Part of this paragraph is inserted in the \(ife, p. 106. 



IV.] HIS SISTERS. 5^ 

the holy scriptures. He depends upon the Lord for a bles- 
sing in his undertakings and seeks it by prayer. What the 
Lord gives he receives with thankfulness, as a gift unde- 
served, as a talent committed to his stewardship, and aims 
to use it to God's glory : — not as a talent ivrapped in a 
napkin^ or buried in the earthy with the miser ; not as prO" 
vision made for the fleshy to fulfil the lusts thereof with the 
prodigal ; but in temperance, moderation, and a liberal com- 
passionate beneficence. When the Lord crosses him, he 
submits, and says, It is the Lord^ let him do what seemeth 
him good : and, when things look dark, he does not murmur 
or distrust, but says. The Lord ivill provide — Then 

" 3. You say, " This will, as a moral duty, supply the 
place of continual prayer." First let me ask, Where did 
a man of your natural sagacity pick up the strange notion 
of the performance of one duty compensating for the 
neglect of another ? Not from the scriptures : for, if any 
keep the whole law and offend in one pointy he is guilty of 
all, — Not from the measurers of human government : for if 
you break one law, they do not inquire whether you have 
broken others or kept them ; but condemn the transgressor 
of one. Not from your dealings with your neighbors. You 
would think him a poor customer, who should suppose that 
by paying for one article he compensated for defrauding 
you of another. Not from reason : for assuredly we can 
pay God no more than his due, when we do all that he 
commands. Even then we are but unprofitable servants,-^ 
Secondly, I answer, that I do not think you are bound to 
spend so much time in reading, meditation, and prayer, as 
I am : but assuredly he that lives without prayer lives with- 
out God in the ivorUL It was not said in vain. Ye have 
not because ye ask not, — But I forbear. Christ's precepts 
and example need no comment : and a little time daily (twice 
a day, I mean,) improved in this employ would bring a 
blessing upon all you have in your house, on all your hands 
are employed in, and especially on your precious souls. 
And it is as impossible to serve God, and taste that happi- 
ness without so doing, as it is to live and thrive without 
eating. Nor will it hinder your business half so much 
(though as much more necessary as your soul is worth morp 
than your body,) as your ordinary meals do ; and yet you 
ftnd time for them. 



60 i.£TTEHS TO [No. 

<^ In answer to your questions I fear I have tired you : 
but one thing I trust I have done, I have kept so clear of 
controverted points that your conscience will be on my 
side. 

" Last week we buried our little infant ;* who is safely 
landed on the heavenly shore : and, though nature regrets, 
faith rejoices ; and we are resigned. I am greatly afflicted 
to hear of poor Mr. Webster's death, because it will be 
so sharp a trial to my sister. May the Lord comfort and 
support her under it, and sanctify the dispensation to her ! 
And may we all learn to consider our latter end, and to 
prepare for that time, when all our thoughts of this vain 
world shall perish ! 

" I have some thoughts of moving from this place to 
Olney. It will not be a very important advantage in 
worldly things : but it will bring an additional care upon 
me of near two thousand souls. However, the Lord will 

provide 

" Believe me your very affectionate brother, 

" Thomas Scott.'' 

As noticed in the Life, of my father ,t his elder sister, 
Mrs. Webster, about this time lost her husband, after hav- 
ing been married only five years, and was left with two 
children, and the near prospect of a third ; besides having 
other difficulties to struggle with. These circumstances 
gave occasion to the following letters. 

To Mrs, Webster^ Boston, 

*' Weston Underwood, September 28, 1779. 
^' DEAR SISTER, 

" Believe me, I do most sincerely pity and condole 
with you on account of your very great loss, of Avhich I 
pray God to be yout supporter and comforter under this 
severe stroke of his providence, which I hope, being sanc- 
tified by his concurring grace, will, in the upshpt, work 
together for our good : for wc know that all things work 
together for good to them thai love God^ who are the called 
according to his purpose. May the Lord grant to us to be 
thus called according to his purpose^ and to give good evi- 

^ Life, p. 94, 96. t Page IQP. 



. 



IV.J HIS SISTEES. 6i 

dence of our love to him who first loved us ; and enable 
us to exercise faith on his promise, that we may under 
every trying dispensation be prepared to say from our 
hearts, It is the Lord — the wise, righteous, holy, faithful, 
and merciful Lord, who can do nothing wrong — Let him do 
what seemeth him good ! I am sensible that it is much easier 
to give such counsel than to take it ; and that, under the 
pressure of heavy affliction, the soul even of the humble 
and pious believer is apt to lose sight of God, and its hold 
on the promise, and to sink into despondency and mur- 
muring thoughts. We are not commanded therefore not 
to grieve, but not to grieve as men without hope. Hence, 
with the most sympathizing feeling of the heavy burden 
which the Lord hath laid upon you, I would only drop a 
few hints on this occasion, earnestly beseeching the Lord 
to direct me to suitable words, that I may speak in season^ 
and to make them instrumental to your consolation and 
benefit^ by his Holy Spirit. 

" 1. Then, may the Lord help you to call to mind, that^ 
though man be horn to trouble as the sparks fiy upioard^ yet 
affliction springeth not out of the dusty but is all and every 
part of it the appointment of God ; without whom not a spar- 
row falleth to the ground, and by whom even the hairs of 
our head are all numbered. This Consideration should silence 
our complainings, teach us to submit to his sovereign plea- 
sure ; to be still and Icnow that he is God^ and to answer 
all our hard thoughts and objections with Paul's words, 
Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right ? 

"• Then, 2. may the Lord enable you to believe that he 
doth not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men ; but 
always acts consistently with his perfections ; and is wise, 
and just, and good in his most mysterious dispensations ; 
hath always good and sufficient reason for what he doth ; 
and though, as sovereign, he doth not condescend to give 
account of his matters in particular, yet in general we know 
that in all he is intent on displaying the glory of his per- 
fections, and promoting the salvation of his people. 

" Then, 3. it comes to be considered, what is the grand 
reason and cause why a just, holy, wise, and gracious God 
does so order it, that this life should be one continued 
series of disappointment, vanity, vexation, sorrows, and 
losses : that all our comforts arc alloyed with sorrow, all 
our sweets mingled with bitterness. Sin is the cause of 
all. We are all sinners ; have all, though not all alike, 

6 



62 LETTERS TO [No* 

transgressed with continual transgressions the perfect law 
of God : and, because we are sinners, therefore we are suf- 
ferers : and he that hath sinned the least hath deserved the 
greatest temporal afflictions, yea infinitely more. To them 
who live and die impenitent and unbelieving, these prove 
only the heginnings of sorrows : but to them who truly fear 
God they are changed in their nature, become chastisements 
and blessings. 

" Hence, 4. it comes in our way to consider the tendency 
of the^e afflictions. They teach us to humble ourselves as 
sinners in the sight of God, and to acknowledge that it is 
ef the Lord^s mercies we are not consumed, because his com- 
passions fail not^ They teach us to say : / will hear the 
indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him. 
f^hculd a living man complain, a man for the punishment of 
his sins ? This stirs us up to true repentance. — Then they 
teach us experimentally that all is vanity and vexation of 
spirit : that the world, and its dearest and most reasonable 
comforts, can afford us nothing but bitterness, if we set our 
hearts upon it. They remind us that we want a better 
portion, more certain and durable ; and this, weaning us 
from the love of the world, and disposing us to choose God 
for our portion, will turn all our aflections and desires into 
another channel, and incline us to seek first the kingdom of 
God and his righteousness ; to mind the one thing needful ; 
and to labor for the meat that endureth unto everlasting life. 
— The:i, if sanctified to us, they teach us our need of better 
comforters than the world afibrds ; and this endears to us 
the word of God, and its precious promises and cheering 
assurances ; and makes us prize the throne of grace, where 
God is placed bowing down his ear to our prayers, and to 
which, through the atoning blood of Christ, and his pre- 
vaihng intercession for sinners, we have boldness of ac- 
cess, may unburden our spirits, make known our requests, 
cast away our c-.res, pour out our sorrows, and confidently 
wait an answer of peace ; assured that, like as a father piti- 
eth his own children, so is the Lord merciful to them that 
fear him, — When afflictions have this effect, though griev- 
ous, they are very beneficial, and most of the saints in glory 
have cause to bless God that they were afflicted, adding, 
Before I was afflicted I went wrong. 

^' I have much more to say, but must draw to a conclu- 
sion. I hope you will not despise the chastening of the Lord ; 
afld I pray that yo\x may not faint now you are rebuked of 



I 



IV.] HIS SISTERS. 63 

him ; for whom he loveth he chasterieih. Do not smother 
your heavy sorrows in your own breast ; much less give 
way to murmuring or to complaining words, or despond- 
ing thoughts ; but carry these complaints and fears to a 
throne of grace ; and, having renewed (as we all have 
need to do,) your repentance and prayers for pardon, 
commit your way unto the Lord ; seek to him for con- 
solation ; search more and more into his precious word ; 
and remember who hath said (Jeremiah xlix, 11,) heave 
thy fatherless children with me^ and let thy widows trust in 
me, — ^Death hath also made a breach in our family : but, 
bless God, the stroke has been very gentle to what 
yours has been. Our youngest boy is dead and happy. 
Assure yourself of our best love, and joint prayers for the 
recovery of your health, the return of comfort to your 
mind, and your best welfare. 

" Yours affectionately, Thomas Scott.'' 

To 3Irs. Webster, Boston, 

" Weston Underwood, December 15, 1779. 
" DEAR SISTER, 

" I DO not know whether I have not been guilty of a 
fault in not answering your last letter earlier, as assuredly 
I ought, at such a time as this must needs be with you, to 
do whatever little is in my power to promote your com- 
fort and support under your troubles. However, though a 
variety of engagements, and too great a propensity to in- 
dulge indolence, have hitherto prevented my writing to 
you, yet I have not been forgetful of you, as the Lord 
knoweth, who I trust hath heard, and in his own time will 
answer, my prayers in your behalf: although I do not deny 
that there is something that I long and pray for, which I 
do not perceive that the Lord hath yet bestowed upon you. 
But, as you say, and I am bound to believe, that you do 
sincerely desire to serve the Lord, in that way (I trust you 
mean,) which in his holy word he hath revealed and ap- 
pointed as alone acceptable ; so I hope and believe that 
some time or other he will make known to you somewhat, 
as taught in the sacred Scriptures, which you have not 
hitherto discovered : nor will I drop the assured persuasion 
that one day we shall be of one jnind in most of those things 
wherein we now differ, as you observe. But, as I have no 
f^xpe^^tation that this will be brought about in the way of 



64 LETTERS TO [NCr 

argumentation and dispute, which generally do too much 
ruffle the passions to leave the mind open to an impartial 
reception of the truth ; and rather expecting that, under 
the guidance and secret teaching of the Holy Spirit, grad- 
ually opening your understanding to understand the scrip- 
tures, and discovering more and more what passes in your 
own heart, and what is revealed in the Bible, you will seem 
to discover it of yourself ; so I would there leave the mat- 
tei*, only wishing and praying you to continue an attentive 
reading of the scriptures, and to frequent the throne of 
grace in prayer : and especially praying to be delivered 
from prejudice, error, and ignorance, to be enlightened 
with the knowledge of the truth, and made acquainted with^ 
the unsearchable riches of Christ, As to the rest, I do not 
wish to interfere with you, but would leave the ev^nt to 
th« Lord ; only not forgetting to beseech him to remember 
you with the favor which he beareth to his chosen people^ and 
to visit you with his salvation, 

" I wish a good deal for an opportunity of sending a 
parcel of the books which I have published, and which I 

suppose you have not seen I only beg you to read 

the book when you receive it without prejudice, remem- 
bering that in former days you had no contemptible opin- 
ion of the author's understanding ; praying at the same^ 
time that the Father of lights^ the Giver of every good and 
perfect gifty would be pleased to make it manifest to each 
of us, whether of the two, you or I, do mistake the mean- 
ing of his revealed word, that we may not perish in such 
deceivings. 

^^ I truly condole with you in the loss upon loss which 
you have sustained, in being bereaved of your very friend- 
ly uncle Jackson ; for whom I myself have always had a 
very sincere esteem and affection, and doubt not you have 
had a vjery great loss in him. Death has lately been so 
busy in our family, that I feel surprised that I am still 
alive, and dare not either presume on length of life myself, 
or lean upon the bruised reeds of creature-comforts, such 
dying worms as we all are. And indeed, though naturally 
of a disposition sufficiently susceptible of all the tender 
affections, stroke upon stroke, one bereaving providencq 
after another, together with the reflections thereby sug- 
gested concerning the vanity of the world, and the uncer- 
tainty and vexation attending all things here below, has 
tended exceedingly to prepare my mind for such things^ 



gyi 



IV.] HIS SISTERS. 65 

and rather introduced a desire to be made indifferent about 
all earthly things. — I cannot however attain to this. The 
difficulty is, how to love, and take pleasure in, and long 
to be useful to, our friends while with us, and yet to be 
made willing to resign them when the Lord is pleased to 
call for them. This is what would be exactly right, but 
what the Lord does not expect wholly of us in this our 
state of infirmity ; only that we sorrow not as men that 
have no hope : for like as a father pitieth his children, so is 
the Lord ynerciful unto thein that fear him, — One trial there 
is however, that I do, with a most cowardly distrustful fear, 
shrink back from the thoughts of.* I thank you for your 
prayer respecting it : but the Lord will provide. My great 
comfort is, that I assuredly believe that I have one un- 
changeable, eternal, ever-present, all-sufficient friend, who 
hath said, / will never leave thee nor forsake thee, even tht 
God of all consolation. Though he break our poor cis- 
terns, it is only that we may not be kept from coming to 
the fountain to drink of his pleasures as out of a river : when 
he causes our gourds to wither, it is in order that we may 
make him our refuge and hiding place in trouble. May 
we be enabled to take him for our God in Christ Jesus, and 
give ourselves to be his people ; and in every time of 
trouble to consider that he is with us, knows our sorrows, 
hears our sighs and prayers, puts our tears into his bottle^ 
and is both able and willing to make all work together for 
good to them that love him, whom he halh called according 
to his purpose, 

" I do indeed consider your circumstances as very dis- 
tressing, and such as peculiarly call for sympathy and com- 
passion : but, alas ! we may say of ourselves and of one 
another. Miserable comforters are we all I I hope I shall 
not forget to beseech the Almighty to be your comforter, 
and that we shall daily join in that request. — Please to let 
somebody write a line to inform us when you are con- 
fined. Do not give way to gloomy fears or desponding 
thoughts, but cast your care upon the Lord ; and remember 
that, though your troublea are too heavy for yourself to 
bear, yet, if the Lord put under his everlasting arms, his 
strength will be best manifested in your weakness. .,.. ..Be- 
lieve me your ever affectionate brother, 

" Thomas Scott. '^ 

* No doubt a loss corresponding to that wblch his sister had suffered — of 
iiis iieareet and dearest cartliiy connexion. 

6* 



66 LETTIJIIS TO [Nov 

It is often delightful, wlien we can do it, to trace what 
St. James calls '^ the end of the Lord,*' — the issue of his 
painful dispensations towards his servants. How often is 
it found to be ^' pitifulness and tendei mercy/' where it 
seemed at the time to be most the reverse ! In the Me- 
moir of Mr. Cecily it is said: '' It is worthy of remark, that 
•during her travail with this child of her old age, his moth- 
er's heart was overwhelmed w ith sorrow. Her years, and 
other circumstances not necessary to be here mentioned, 
raised in her mind the most terrific apprehensions. Yet 
this child w^as the comfort and honour of her latter days!'' 
Thus in the instance before us. It wa& felt at the time as 
a severe aggravation of Mrs. Webster's loss, that she was 
to be the mother of a child which should be fatherless from 
its birth. But so it was, that this child alone survived 
to be the support and comfort of her old age ! I notice 
the fact, in case these papers, should find any reader whose 
circumstances may render it a source of appropriate con- 
solation. 



j» 



" Judf:;e not the Lerd by feeble sense, 

But trust hiin for his crrace : 
Belli nd a frou nins^ providence 

He hides a smiling face." 

To Mrs, Webster J Boston, 

" Weston Underwood, January 15, I7S0. 
^•' DEAR SISTER, 

" I HAVE just received your letter, and, having an hour 
to spare, have determined to answer it immediately ; hopv- 
ing that the Lord will direct me to somewhat that may be 
iDade comfortable and useful to you. Assure yourself you 
are much in my mind, and much in my prayers ; and I 
should be exceedingly rejoiced and thankful, if I could be 
in any respect made instrumental to your support and con- 
solation under your complicated trials. You know not my 
hecirt when you suppose I shall censure you with sharpness 
for finding your mind full of grief and care, and your heart 
of anxiety under your present circumstances. On the con- 
trary the strugglings which you appear to make against 
distrast, and your acknowledgments of the goodness of 
the Lord to you, notwithstanding the heavy heart-rending 
sorrows which he in his providence has laid upon you, per- 
suade me that you are not utterly in your experience a 
stranger to that coH^ct between grac^ and »in in the hearj^ 



IV.] HIS SISTEJR^. GT 

which is the peculiar distinguishing mark of a true Chris- 
tian. My dear sister, you are greatly mistaken in suppos- 
ing me prepense to blame, and severe in censuring others 
for not coming up to that perfection which I know and 
allow to be our duty and our happiness. Alas ! with shame 
and confusion of face I am daily confessing before the 
throne of grace, tha-ty when I would do good^ evil is present 
with me : that, whilst I allow, and approve of, and delight 
in the law of Gody after the inner many I am so drawn aside 
by my indwelling corruptions, the snares of the world, and 
Satan's temptations, that, were it not for my assured belief 
that I have an advocate with the Father^ Jesus Christ the 
righteous^ who is the propitiation for our sins, I could have 
no confidence towards God, being condemned by my own 
heart. In short, I can do no other than allow that my best 
days, dispositions, and services, are all defective and defil- 
ed, and need to be washed in that fountain which the Lord 
hath opened for sin and for uncleanness. — Certainly, should 
you ask what is your duty and your wisdom under your 
present troubles, I should answer, That you would take 
no anxious unbelieving care for the morrow, what you or 
yours shall eat or drink, or wherewithal you shall he clothed: 
that you should cast all your care upon God; he careful for 
nothing J hut in every thing hy prayer and supplication , 
with thank sgivingy make your requests known unto God ; 
seek first the kingdom of God and Ids righteousnesy and com- 
mit your icay unto him, who never faileth them that put 
their trust in him. But, should you answer that though you 
know this to be your duty, though you desire to act thus, 
and do in part attempt it ; yet, nevertheless, anxious cares, 
and worldly thoughts, and mournful considerations, whether 
you will or not, frequently crowd into your mind, distract and 
discompose you, and even accompany and trouble you when 
addressing yourself to prayer, and the reading of the scrip- 
tures ; I should not wonder, nor censure, nor think you for 
that reaso'l^ peculiarly blameworthy. Sinful these things 
are, deficiencies and defilements in our services, that need 
the sprinkling of the hlood of Jesus , our great high priest, 
who ever liveth to make intercession for his people ; but 
they are no other than what every sincere and humble 
Christian in the world will acknowledge himself to be 
l^uilty of; and what, under far less trials, I too much expe- 
rience ; which makes me place no confidence in such poor 
sinful ^services, but trust wholljr to what Christ hath done 



68 LETTERS TO [No* 

for me — he having been made sin for usj who hnew no sin, 
that we might he made the righteousness of God in him. Our 
comfort is, that we have not a high priest who cannot he 
touched with the feeling of our infirmities j hut who was in 
all points tempted like as we are^ yet without sin ; and who 
suffered being tempted that he might be able to succour them 
that are tempted : a Saviour who loved his people^ and 
washed them from their sins in his oton bloody and who has 
a fellow-feeling for us in all our sufferings ; a Father, who 
pitieth us, and hnoweth whereof we are made, and remem* 
breth that toe are dust, — I only therefore would wish you to 
strive and pray continually against the workings of unbe- 
lief; when your heart is overwhelmed, to pour out your 
complaints, and spread your sorrows (as Hezekiah did Sen- 
nacherib's letter,) before the Lord ; and I doubt not that God 
who comforteth those that are cast doion, will both provide 
for your outward wants, support you under your troubles, 
and, by his abundant consolation, in due time turn your 
mourning into joy. — Indeed your letter though written in 
somewhat of a complaining strain, and not without some 
suspicions that I should disapprove of it, is the most com* 
fortable letter I have ever received from you, since my 
views of religion were changed ; and it leaves me little 
doubt that the Lord is leading you, in the same gradual 
manner that he led me, to a spiritual and experimental 
acquaintance with the truth as it is in Jesus. I discern an 
increasing earnestness in matters of religion, a more ten- 
der and awakened conscience, a growing conviction of un- 
worthiness, and somewhat of a greater fearfulness of being 
mistaken. As to the rest, I am in no hurry : the word of 
God I recommend to your daily reading ; and oh may the 
Lord stir you up to frequent the throne of grace, and with- 
out confining yourself wholly to the words of another, 
now and then to pour out the genuine desires of your 
heart, in your own words, for the teaching and guidance 
of his Holy Spirit ! I hope we do not, shall not differ 
essentially ; I only say that there are some things, which I 
doubt not the Lord will teach you by and by, (as he sent 
Peter to Cornelius to speak unto him words whereby he and 
his house might be saved,) which, though sincerely serving 
God, you are hitherto mistaken about ; and other things I 
believe myself, which perhaps you may never believe in 
this world, and yet be saved for all that. 



IV.] HIS SIFTERS. 60 

" You say you are ^ afraid I shall say that unless you be 
converted you cannot be saved.' I do say so, and am sure 
of it : and saith not the Lord the same ? Verily^ verily I say 
unto youj except ye he converted^ and become as little chil- 
dren, ye cannot enter into the kingdom of God. — But what 
if I add, that I see dawning hopes that this necessary work 
is already wrought in your soul : and that the time is com- 
ing, and not far distant, when your own inward experience 
shall explain to you the meaning of this and several other 
expressions of the New Testament to the same effect, better 
than any commentators in the world ? — for the natural man 
receiveth not tha things of the Spirit of God, for they are 
foolishness unto him ; neither can he know them, because 
they are spiritually discerned, — However, one would think 
there was nothing so mysterious and hard to be understood 
under this easy word. Let me drop a hint upon it. Man 
by nature is given up to the world and the things that are in 
the world : these he pursues and longs after, and seeks his 
happiness from them. This is to be carnally minded. Some 
after a season are convinced of the world^s vanity, and are 
led to desire a better portion. Their eyes are enlightened : 
they are undeceived respecting this universal infatuation : 
like the prodigal, they come to themselves, and discover the 
folly and madness of a rational immortal being seeking hap- 
piness from things which perish in the usi7ig, and which 
must shortly be left for ever : they discern that the eternal 
and all-sufficient God is the only suitable and satisfying por- 
tion and happiness : they thenceforth set themselves to seek 
his favor as the one thing needful, and look for their happi- 
ness from him. There be many that say, who will shew 
us any good ? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy counte- 
nance upon me /—This is conversion : being turned from 
seeking our happiness from the world and self, to seeking it 
from God only. — Generally this change is preceded by a 
deep conviction of our lost state by nature and practice, a 
sense of our perishing need of pardoning mercy, and a dis- 
covery jof the glorious person, gracious work, and offices of 
Jesus Christ, and an application to him, according to his in- 
vitation. Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy la- 
den, and I will give you rest. Sometimes these views fol- 
low after this inward change, as in me ; and some are left 
much in the dark all their lives, of whose sincerity and sal- 
vation I have no doubt. When this change has taken place 
in our sourcfl^f happine^, our desires and end3, ainiS| 



70 LETTERS TO [Nov 

hopes, fears, joys, sorrows, converse, and conduct too are 
changed : Old things are passed aicay^ behold all things 
are become new. This is conversion ; and I trust you have 
experienced something of it, and that it will be more and 

more evident to your mind every day 

" Your affectionate brother, 

" Thomas Scott.^' 

To Mrs. Webster J Leicester, 

" Chapel Street, March 16, 1796. 
" DEAR SISTER, 

'' In the midst of my urgent and numerous employ- 
ments, I cannot be satisfied without writing a few lines to. 
assure you that I am very glad to hear from you, and of ] 
your welfare ; though a variety of circumstances concur in 
making me a worse correspondent than formerly. In gen- ; 
eral I find ray writing so much injures my health, and 
wears down my spirits, more than all my other exertions : 
yet I have great reason to think that I am far more useful 
in this line than in any other ; and am therefore reluctant ta j 
slacken my hand in that respect : for to be in some meas- J 
ure useful, in a mischievous world, seems the only end for ! 
which life is desirable, when a man has got a good hope \ 
through grace of happiness in a future state. 

" My brother writes long letters to you about peace, war, 
and politics : to me he does not -write more than once or 
twice a year, at most, and very short letters. Indeed, I do 
not wish him to write to me about such things as you men- 
tion ; for our sentiments would not coincide, and I have 
little hope of convincing him. I fear these speculations 
are a very great snare to him, and greatly prevent his at- 
tention to the one thing needful^ both in respect of himself 
and his family : and, at last, were he ever so right, his 
opinions, reasonings, or disputings, will sway just nothing 
with those that have and will have the management of 
public affairs. I have no doubt that rulers of all sorts are, 
and always have been, too prepense to war : and, .when t 
am made privy counsellor, or even preaching chaplain to> I 
his Majesty, his ministers, or the parliament, I will tell j 
them my opinions on those subjects. Till then I may as 
well hold my tongue ; except as I declare general truths j 
from the pulpit and the press. — Yet, after all, I questioaJ 
whether either I or he, if we were constituted dictators, I 
would know how to get out of the pres^Bf war, without 



IV.] HIS SISTERS 71 

ensuring a worse ; and it is easier to find fault, or give di- 
rectionsj than it would be to realize our own rules, in the 
circumstances referred to. It would therefore be far better 
for us to take notice of the hand of God lifted up against a 
guilty nation, than to quarrel with instruments of any kind : 
and to consider our own ways, confess our own sins, and 
pour out our prayers for deliverance and peace, than to 
speculate on other men's conduct, who have reasons for do- 
ing what they do, which we are not aware of. I have 
enough to do in this way ; and therefore I am no party 
man : but I am confident that, could the more respectable 
opposition men get into power, they would be forced to 
carry on the plans of the present ministry in many things, 
for a time, under the varnish of some new coloring : and, 
as to the revolutionists, as I love peace, I say. From such 
men, good Lord, deliver us ! The best way is to pray God 
to give our rulers wisdom and grace, and to- do our duty in 
our station ; and to leave the rest to the Lord.'' 

" Chapel Street, March 21, 1797.'^ After noticing the 
death of a distant relation : — " I have grown more back- 
ward of late to obtrude myself on company where I sus- 
pect I am not wanted ; and my mind is so conversant with 
thoughts of eternity, that I am much pained when I see 
those, who in some respects are dear to me, in a conditioa 
which I deem most perilous ; especially if I can find no op- 
portunity of trying to set them right. Such intercourse 

therefore I decline as painful and useless Sometimes w^e 

accuse ourselves needlessly, when in fact we have done all 
that we could with propriety." 

I insert this passage because there are minds which need 
the relief it may afford them. In general^ however, it may 
be feared, our dangers lie on the opposite side, which is 
much the worse extreme of the two : we feel too little, and 
attempt less than we might do " with propriety :" and much 
would I deprecate, as the writer also would have done, any 
abuse of the passage to soothe a selfish remissness of this 
kind. 

A letter is inserted in the Life,* addressed to Mrs. Web- 
ster when she was threatened with the loss of her second and 
only remaining daughter: the following was written when 
this loss had actually occurred. 

* Pages 233, 234. 



«! 



72 LETTERS TO [No. 

To Mrs. Webster^ Leicester. 

Chapel Street, July 20, 1797. 
^'DEA^ SrSTER, 

^' I can only repeat, in other language, the senti- 
ments contained in my wife's letter ; and yet I am not wil- 
ling (though much engaged and rather indisposed) to let the 
parcel go off witliout a few lines. Were I to view the 
event, of which your last letter gave us information, in an 
abstract manner, apart from those feelings which have their 
use in this world, I should consider it as peculiarly joyful, 
and matter of congratulation. You are exceedingly honor- 
ed, and your children highly favored, nor could more have 
been wished for on their account ; though we might have 
been desirous of their living in this world, as in a prison, in 
order to recommend the clemency and the service of their 
reconciled Lord to their fellow sinners, and in various ways 
to be useful to others. Yet, after all, you are bereaved, 
and nature must grieve ; and even gi'ace will only moderate 
and regulate your sorrow, without extinguishing it. I trust, 
however, you will not give way to the romantic kind of 
impatience called indulging grief; which, in reality, differs 
little from Jonah's saying, I do icell to he angry even unto 
death. Even when the Lord, in his righteous sovereignty*, 
takes from us those who are dear in the bonds of nature, 
but of whose future condition we cannot but entertain ma- 
ny uneasy apprehensions, submission is our bounden duty ; 
and prayer for gmce to enable us to submit, our proper 
business ; with all other suitable means of turning the 
thoughts to other subjects, and from that which can only 
distress and tempt us, without any possibility of altering 
the divine appointments, which are doubtless wise, holy, 
and righteous, however they may appear to us. But, 
when we are deprived of those concerning whom we have 
scriptural confidence that they sleep in Jesus, the grieving 
of nature is so counterpoised by the joy of hope, that it 
may be expected, after a while, that we should not only 
submit to the will of God, but feel ourselves peculiarly j^ 
thankful for such special mercies. When I think of the^H 
unnumbered dangers with which the world abounds, and 
the very small proportion of young persons who are seri- 
ously disposed ; I think also with great satisfaction of 
the three children that I have lost, and who, I verily 
believe, are now in heaven : and though, for the sake 
of others, I rejoice perhaps more sensibly ou account 



IV.] IIIS SISTERS. 73 

of some that survive^ yet there is an anxiety and deduction 
felt there, from which the joy on the other account is free. 
Yet, at the time, I felt the loss, especially of one, very 
painfully. x4nd, indeed, I can hardly conceive that we 
should be properly stimulated to do our duty to our chil- 
dren, if we had not that kind of affection for them which 
makes the loss very painful, though our best judgment 
sees abundant cause for gratitude. — Your case, it is true, 
will necessarily be attended with peculiar sensations ; as 

you have lost your companion as well as your child Yet 

you may hope for peculiar supports : and I doubt not that, 
in time, the grace and consolations of God will soothe your 
sorrows, and a sort of melancholy sweetness will remain, 
seriously pleasing, frequently engaging your reflections, 
and issuing in grateful praises, and anticipation of that joy- 
ful meeting we are taught to expect with our relatives who 
have departed in the Lord. Your pain and anguish will 
gradually decrease ; your satisfaction and gratitude increase 

continually We shall be glad to see you, and do every 

thing in our power for your solace and comfort. I send a 
few books which I have lately published. One copy you 
will give, with my love, to Mr. Robinson, and dispose of 
the others as you have opportunity. 

^^ I remain, with great sincerity, 

" Your affectionate brother, 

^^ Thomas Scott.'' 



No. V. 

LETTERS TO A NIECE (HIS BROTHER'S DAUGH- 
TER) WHO HAD SPENT SOME TIME AT OLNEY. 

1787—1788. 

*' Chapel Street, January 27, 1787. 
^^ DEAR NIECi:^ 

" I SUPPOSE my sister* has received before this time 
a pretty long letter, which I sent a few days before we 
received the parcel. I was indeed too dilatory in answer- 
ing ; but I had many peculiar hindrances. I was just at 
that time engaged about a sermon that I have lately pub- 
lished,! which was occasioned by many unpleasant circum- 
stances, and produced me considerable employment. 
Truth in all things, and especially in divine things, lies in 
the middle between the extremes ; but either extreme 
may accommodate the pride and lusts of men. Therefore 
men are fond of extremes, a?id when a man is reduced fiT>m 
one he is naturally prone (like the pendulum,) to vibrate 
as far into the other. Thus high churchmen sometimes vi- 
brate into stiff dissenters, self-righteous pharisees into anti- 
nomians, and confident arminians into rigid Calvinists. 
This is hum^n nature. But true grace disposes a man to 
caution. Under the divine teaching, he trembles at every 
step lest Satan should seduce him ; he recedes from his 
principles in general gradually, and always with some de- 
gree of moderation : and values no notions further than he 
experiences their influence on his heart and conduct. Let 
this observation introduce my subject. 

" My lot has been for some time, in this contentious age, 
so to steer between the disputing parties, as to be obnox- 
ious to both, and pleasing to neither. The churchmen 
dislike me because I condescend so far to the dissenters ; 

* See above, p. 53. 

t " Oa Election aad Final Perseverance :" see Life, p. J64. 



v.] LETTERS TO A NIECE. 75 

and the dissenters are not pleased that I do not quit the 
church. But especially I am obnoxious (so far as my lit- 
tleness is knowuj) to the self-righteous and ArminianSj be- 
cause I will preach the doctrines of grace ; and to the su- 
pralapsarians and antinomians, because I oppose the abuse 
of those doctrines, and insist upon the necessity of holiness 
of heart, and fruitfulness in good works. For the whole 
truth is so opposite to the pride of man on the one hand^ 
and to the love of the world on the other, that neither 
party can bear it. Man may be prevailed on to sacrifice 
his pleasure or his profit to his pride, or his pride to his 
love of pleasure ; that is, one idol to another ; but nothing 
except grace can make him sacrifice all of them to the 
Lord Jesus.^ — You know what effect my ministry produced 
at Olney ; the same, in great measure, has been the effect 
in London. I seem to myself like the heavy axe among 
the carpenter's tools, which, when it has been employed in 
hewing one knotty block, must hew another and another 
to the end ; and never is to be employed in any other work 
— being unfit for the office of a plane or a chisel. I was 
aware of this, in some measure, v/hen I came hither ; but 1 
deemed myself called in God's providence to this place : 
and therefore, at length, accepted the proposal, though not 
without telling the governors my apprehensions. Notwith- 
standing the influence of party, and the prevalence of a 
superficial, notional, and erroneous religion, for some time 
I had more acceptance and less opposition than I expect- 
ed : but, going on in my downright, plain, alarming, invit- 
ing, distinguishing, practical strain, a secret dislike was 
working in the minds of several : and, while the opposite 
party were watching their opportunity, some circumstances 
gave them the wished-for occasion : the cry of Arminian- 
ism was propagated : they who could not bear the practi- 
cal preaching, for reasons too visible, laid hold of this 
clamor, and insinuated prejudices into the minds of num- 
bers who could not judge for themselves ; and almost sud- 
denly my congregation was reduced to about half the num- 
ber, and I verily thought I should have been driven from 
my post. At that crisis, having given previous notice, I 
penned, preached, and published a sermon entitled. The 
Doctrinesy &c. It was very well received by the ministers 
and professors in general in town, and had some consider- 
able influence in the congregation : but the occasion was 
too favorable, and too assiduously improved, and preju- 



7ft LETTERS TO [Na. 

dices and suspicions had sunk too deep to be generally re- 
moved. The views I avowed concerning the sufficiency 
of the death of Christ* revived the clamor ; and many 
have withdrawn, and I am generally unpopular. How- 
ever the governors are steadily my friends, and I have 
many others, and I am assured that I am useful, and the 
post is important : the cause I know is that of truth, of 
righteousness, and of God. Much attention is excited ; and 
a successful testimony cannot fail of being extensively ben- 
eficial, and introductory to further usefulness: and, even 
though I should be driven out, if it be only for faithfulness 
and firmness, united with prudence and meekness, all must 
be well. But it is probable that I shall be able to main- 
tain my post. — In the mean time, besides my congregation 
and occasional preaching, I visit when I please, and as I 
please, the patients ; where I address five hundred or more, 
in the course of the year, of the most profligate charac- 
ters in the kingdom, in my plain manner ; and cannot but 
hope for good. When I have an opportunity I will send 
you some sermons, and another letter which shall have 
another subject than self. Yet you will-know how to draw 
benefit from this subject. The power of godliness alone 
can profit us, or excite the opposition of Satan and the 
world. I can only add that we are all tolerably well, and 
join in love to you all, parents and children. Wishing and 
praying for every blessing to you, . 

" I am your affectionate friend and relation, / 

" Thomas Scott.'' 

*' Chapel-street; June 21, 1787. 
"dear SUSAN, 

" I WAS in Bucks* when your letter arrived, and there- 
fore did not see it till above a week after. Since my re- 
turn I have had several engagements, and seem to have 
embraced the first leisure hour to write a line to you. As 
I have mentioned Bucks, I would just inform you that the 
seed I was so long sowing there was not all thrown away ; 
nay much seems now to be springing up, especially among 
the young people at Ravenstone. I trust the religious 
people there are of the right stamp ; and that they are 
saying every one to his neighbor and to his brother, 

* Life, p. 177; and below, letter to Dr. Rvland, dated Jan. 20, 1787. 
t Life, p. 170. 



v.] A NIEOG. Y7 

Come, let us go up unto the house of the Lordj that we may 
learn and walk in his ways : and religion seems to sink 
deeper into their hearts^ appear more in their lives, spread 
more in their families ; and I hope it will descend to their 
posterity. Multitudes appear inclined to hear plain practi- 
cal preaching, and there seems a great preparation of heart 
for receiving the gospel. They have two young pious min- 
isters ; one at Ravenstone, a Mr. Bull, a relation of Mr. Bull 
of Newport, who learned his views of the gospel under my 
roof, at Olney ; the other Mr. Postlethwaite, who succeed- 
ed me in the curacy of Olney Very few have turned 

dissenters : but most of them have taken my advice, to keep 
together, and edify one another. They are all satisfied I 
did right in coming to town. — The fire at Olney was very 
dreadful at the time, and one poor man lost his life instan- 
taneously by the fall of a chimney: but the loss of proper- 
ty is nothing so great as one would imagine. Scarcely one 

of my people was among the sufferers Though I cannot 

say he got the living by my means, I certainly did mention 
Mr. Tyler to Mr. Wilberforce, and informed him of his 
present precarious situation, and represented it as a very 
good thing to fix him in the neighborhood. He answered 
that, if he thought so, he would mention him to the Lord- 
Chancellor ; which he did, and the living was given to him.* 
But he was mentioned to Mr. W. by some others, especially 
Mr. Milner of Hull...... If he be faithful and useful I shall 

be satisfied and thankful My situation here has amazing 

difficulties ; but I trust I shall triumph over all. The body 
of professors are as shy of me, or averse to me, as they were 
at Olney. Most of the ministers, though they seem to al- 
low my principles, and to avow the same, are yet afraid or 
averse to my preaching for them. My blunt, plain speak- 
ing {right forwards^ as you used to term it,t) lays me un- 
der the censure of rash, imprudent, or even conceited and 
self-sufficient, because I out with all at once which they 
more gradually and cautiously inculcate. I often think that 
perhaps I am wrong : and yet I seem to have example on 
my side throughout the scripture ; and the effect of my 
ministry, stated and occasional, in other places, encourages 
me to hope I shall gradually get round here. In short, had 

* This refers to the livincr of Braytoft, my father's native plape, which his 
brother wished him to ask for for liimself, but which he thus confributed to 
obtain for the Rev. Mr. Tjrler. 

i Life, p. 2^. 

7* 



7S LETTERS TO [NO. 

I been more cautious at first coming, I might have escaped 
some crosses ; but it is now too late : and I hope, by this 
very means, if I am but enabled to act constantly and con- 
sistently, the more extensive and durable eflects will fol- 
low. Though many of the governors who brought me 
hither are lukewarm, and are frighted because so many 
leave us, yet others are raised up : the income of the cha- 
pel is no less ; that of the hospital more than formerly ; 
and my congregations are not much diminished ; whilst the 
zeal of the opposite party fills the chapel exceedingly when 
Mr. De C. preaches. This par t}'- work, and the censures, 
and bad appearances are the worst part of the business : but 
it is the cause of truth and holiness, and I must abide by it.'^ 
He then adverts to the Lock Asylum,* shortly to be 
opened, and adds : — '^ I have had in my house five weeks*' 
— waiting for Admission into the Asylum — ^* as vile a wretch, 
as can be conceived of nineteen years of age, who seems 
truly penitent : another I have just taken in ; some I have 
got to service ; and several return to their friends : and 
most weeks there are some whom it is grieving to turn into 
the streets. — You will understand that I want your earnest 

prayers for a blessing on this and other designs 

Your affectionate uncle, 

^' Thos. Scott." 



^•Chapel Street, Novemljer 13, 17S7, 
^•DEAR SUSAN, 

'' Nothing but a continued series of engagements could 
have occasioned my delay in answering your last letter, 
which in some respects was pleasing, in all interesting^. 
But the institution,t to which the pamphlet referred, was^ 
opened before I received your letter, and has been the 
source of so much work, and so many anxieties and mortifi- 
cations, as it is difficult to express or imagine ; so that I 
have scarcely time to eat my meals, or read any thing but 
my Bible, (which I am always reading and expounding,) or 
write any thing but what relates to it. if Yet, in the midst 
of all, I hope and believe the har\'est will be glorious ;. many 
plucked as brands out of the burning ; although many baffle 
all our efibrtSj and return to their wallowing in the mire, 

* Life, p. 168. t The Asylum. 

X This was about seveo weeks before he cooameDced wriiio^ his Com' 
mentary. 



v.] A NIECE. ^9 

" For all this labor the Lord is to be my paymaster ; for 
I have not one farthing salary. Taking it altogether, it ap- 
pears evidently to have been suggested by him ; who en- 
couraged the proposal, raised up friends, removed obsta- 
cles, and I trust will crown all with his blessing. — Twenty- 
eight have been admitted : twenty remain upon our hands, 
many of whom appear very hopeful. Of six more we can 
give at present a good account : the Lord give them perse- 
verance ! One died, I believe, a true penitent : one is 
married, but no true penitent, I fear : of one I stand in 
doubt: the rest have disappointed us. — ^Enough of this.— • 
Pray earnestly for success. • 

" My situation seems rather more encouraging ; and prob- 
ably the hospital and asylum will fix me in the chapel ; and 
in time other doors may be opened. Indeed 1 not unfre- 
quently preach occasional sermons in different parts of Lon- 
don ; and I have reason to believe that all the dispute upon 
the business has already been productive of much good. — 
Many ministers, I am sure, preach in a more awakening, 
distinguishing, guarded and practical manner than they used 
to do. To this a society of which I am admitted a mem- 
ber seems likely to contribute. Indeed whether I hear the 
Arminians or Calvinists, I seem to :find the same fault ; and 
the difference between the zealots oi both parties seems tri- 
vial, compared with the difference of both from the word 
of God. Both keep the moral character of God much out 
of sight ; both narrow the broad law of God ; both have 
slight thoughts of the evil of sin; both are defective on hu- 
miliation for sin, and abhorrence of it ; both make much 
too little a matter of renovation and sanctification ; both 
place their standard of personal holiness too low — though 
one fancy they have got up to it, and the other seem afraid 
of pressing towards it ; both lay too much stress on impres- 
sions, &c. &c., and too little on newness of heart and life. 
But let us not forget our principles ; but ask ourselves, who 
made us to differ ? Humdity, meekness, patience, are es- 
pecially consistent with the scriptural practical view of the 
doctrines of grace ; and we should be careful to avoid the 
appearance of evil. We may pray for those we cannot do 
any thing else for, — The gospel can teach us to accommo- 
date ourselves to any possible situation in which the provi- 
dence of God casts our lot, and to behave well, and be 
cheerful in it : and a few weeks witnessing the abominations 
I am surrounded with, woidd make you thankful to see even 



so LETTERS TO A NIECE. [No. 

the least appearance of any thing like the fear of God ia 
any belonging to us. Your situation is not of your own 
choosingj that I can see, and, being your cross, will not be 
your detriment. 

" You will receive with this a few sermons, which I have 
lately published, preached at Olney :* perhaps you will 
receive some from Boston previously : but no matter : dis- 
pose of them as you think best. The people about Olney 
go on well in the midst of changes ; and many shew the 
truth of the doctrine they have heard, by their lives : pray 

for them .1 remain with prayers and good wishes for you 

all, • " Your affectionate uncle, 

" Thos. Scott." 

" Chapel Street, September 16, 1738. 
" DEAR SUSAN, 

" You must not attribute my long silence to any thing 
but the multiplicity of my engagements ; especially with 
my pen. By my utmost exertions I can scarcely keep on to 
supply a number per week of the Bible— to tinish it in the 
manner I would ; nay, for these three or four weeks past I 
have lost ground considerably, having been wery poorly in 
health, though I am now better : and I consider it as my 
duty to let no number go forth less clear, distinct, and exact 
than I could make it with proper diligence. Therefore 
company, correspondence, and almost every thing (preach- 
ing in season aud out of season excepted) must here give 
place. The publication gets forward in sale and in repute ; 
and I trust will be useful : but by one means or other I have 
got a sad character even among my brethren ; who look 
upon me as a man ambitious of the honor of being talked of, 
and of setting the world right, and reforming ministers, &;c. 
&c. They judge according to appearance^ but the Lord 
judges righteous judgment, 

" Your last letter gave me sensible pleasure in every way. 
I can only say, Go forward, and the Lord prosper you ! Do 
not forget to pray to the Lord to give me humility, pa- 
tience, meekness, wisdom, perseverance, and success : for 
what God hath taught me I certainly desire to impart to 
others, and to all others, of every class and character, if it 
were possible, all over the world. But whether in this I 
seek the glory of God, or my own honor, is best known to 

him who searcheth the heart of man I remain your 

truly affectionate uncle, " Thos. Scott; ^^ 

* On Growth in Grace *• Life, p. 170. 



No. VI. 



LETTERS TO MR. J. CAMPBELL, EDINBURGH- 
NOW THE REV. J. CAMPBELL, OF LONDON.* 



1789—1793. 



In introducing these letters I shall take the liberty of 
prefixing the greater part of that, with which Mr. C. favored 
me, on transmitting them — believing that it will be interes- 
ting to the reader. 

^/ Kingsland, near London, February 17, 1823. 

"rev. and dear sir, 

" I HAVE enclosed copies of all the letters I am able to 
find, which I received from your late worthy father, di- 
vested of their mere business parts. I know there were 
others ; but though, since my return from Africa, I have 
spent my leisure hours during some weeks in burning old 
papers and letters, I have not discovered any of those of 
your father's wliich I miss. — -The reading of his letters 
regarding his severe asthma reminded me of hearing him 
preach one morning at the Lock, when he was more fit 
for a pillow than a pulpit, in point of health; but no crea- 
ture could have discovered it while he was preaching. I 
dined v/ith him : and after dinner we set off on foot to walk 
part of the way to Bread Street, where he was to preach 
in the afternoon. A shower of rain caused all the hackney 
coaches to be engaged : while walking along Piccadilly, he 
was gasping for breath, and declared he could proceed no 
further, but must sit down on the pavement. That instant 
an unhired coach appeared at a little distance : he waved 
his handkerchief, exclaiming, ' There's a coach, and God 
has sent it F Great was the gratitude he expressed on tak- 

* Visitor of the London Missionary Society's establislmfients in Southern 
Africa. 



82 LETTERS TO THE [No. 

ing his seat in that coach. We arrived just in time at the 
church J when he preached a most searching sermon from, 
What do ye more than others ? The meagre attendance at 
the church shewed that few of the neighbors were aware 
where the best gold was to be had ; or that they were more 
captivated by manner than matter ; by how it was said, than 
what was s<iid. 

" On a visit to London I was expressing a great desire to 
see the late Mr. Charles of Bala, with whom I had corres- 
ponded for three years, concerning a remarkable revival 
which had taken place under his ministry. Mr. Charles 
happening to be in town at the time, your father kindly 
took me to Lady Ann Erskine's, where he resided. We 
spent there two happy hours. Your father requested Mr. 
C to favor us wuth a brief outline of the circumstances 
Avhich led to the remarkable revival at Bala, and the sur- 
rounding region, its progress, &c. He did so, for upwards 
of an hour. On our leaving him, your father said. Did you 
not observe the singular humility of Mr. Charles, in the 
narrative that he gave ? never having once mentioned him- 
self, though he was the chief actor and instrument in the 
whole matter. 

" I have mentioned these {evf facts, not knowing whether 
you had a niche for such things or not. They have cost 
me no trouble putting down, so no harm can be done, 
though they should-prove useless to you , though sometimes 
little things are rendered valuable by the greatness of the 
character to which they are attached. Should I discover 
any other letters I shall send them. 

" I am your's sincerely, 

"John CAMrBELL.'^ 

" Chapel Street, Jane 15, 1789. 
" DEAR SIR, 

" It gave me real pleasure to receive a letter from 

you, with an account of your safe arrival at home ; and I 

• should be glad to write a more full answer to it, but that 

I am poorly in health, and have more to do than I can get 

through. 

" I am obliged to you for mentioning my pamphlet 
among your acquaintance, and for attempting to disperse 
it : if it be in any way useful I shall rejoice. The comment 
mentioned in the Force of Truth was directly Soclnirin : it 
was published in weekly numbers in folio, about the year 



VI.] KEV. J. CAMPBELL. 83 

1762 or 1763; and was said to be written by a society of 
gentlemen. It made altogether five moderate sized vol- 
umes. There was a considerable degree of specious rea- 
soning, and ingenuity in the management of their argu- 
hients, but it seems to me that it did not spread very wide ; 
for I have not met with more than one copy of it since I 
entered into orders, and I find but few people who are ac- 
quainted vv^ith it. 

" In general I know little afterwards about the patients 
whom I speak to in the hospital ; but a few instances I 
have met with, which have convinced me that my labor 
was not in vain : and the new institution, which is annexed 
to the hospital, for -the reception of penitent female pa- 
tients, promises considerable usefulness, if it be not de- 
ranged. But I meet with many difficulties in my situation, 
and it is doubtful whether I shall continue long in it. How- 
ever, all things are in the hands of the Lord ; his wisdom, 
power, and love are infinite ; his counsel shall stand, and he 
will do all his pleasure; and his cause shall triumph over 
all opposition : and all who cordialh^ favor it shall be ere 
lon^ more than conquerors, through him who loved them, 

^'Desiring an interest in your prayers : and sincerely beg- 
ging of the Lord to multiply mercy, grace, and peace to 
you, and all in your part of the world, and indeed every- 
where, who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, 
'' I am 

" Your sincere friend and servant, 

"Thomas Scott. '^ 

« Cliapel Street, April 3, 1791. 
^^DEAR SIR, 

" I AM quite ashamed to address a line to you after my 
long silence : bul if you had known all th^ hurry of engage- 
ments that I have been in, as well as the variety of my in- 
ward agitations, you would be disposed to forgive me. I 
have enclosed a few sermons that I have published, without 
my name, on occasion of the death of a much valued friend, 
whom you have often heard of, Mr. Thornton. 

" Hitherto the Lord hath helped us ; I trust all is work- 
ing together for good ; the bitter as well as the sweet ; and 
1 find much to be contained in the words of Deut. viii, 2, 
suited to my feelings and my whole case. May all we 
meet with, my dear sir, tend to make Christ more precious 
to us, and sin more hateful ; to deliver us more and more 



84 LETTERS TO THE Jfso. 

from the love of the world, and from the fear of death, that 
we may look forward with joy to the time when we shaft 
depart hence to be with Christ, and meet before the throne 
to part no more. 

^*I remain 

" Your sincere friend, 

'* Thomas Scott." 



<' Chapel Street, July 10, 1792. 
^^ DEAR SIR, 

" On June 27th I wrote the substance of the follow- 
ing letter, intending to send it with the remaining numbers 
immediately : but unforseen hindrances have retarded ; 
and, as you will so soon be in town, and I hope to see you 
at my house, I shall omit sending them till vou come. 

" In excuse for my long silence, I can only say that I had 
so much writing that I could only get through it by the ut- 
most possible exertion ; so that I have lately almost wholly 
given over corresponding with my nearest relatives. I pro- 
crastinate therefore from necessity, not from inclination : 
and, having now, by the help of God, concluded my labori- 
ous publication,* I shall be glad again occasionally to inter- 
change information and sentiments. Some little books 1 
meant to have sent for distribution ; which I shall shew you 
when you come. 

" I can cordially unite with you in your observation con- 
cerning the wisdom and love of the Lord's conduct towards 
us, and the frequent instances of our folly and ingratitude 
towards him. Humility and gratitude seem to be the two 
great lessons which we are to learn on earth, in order to 
our enjoyment in heaven : for the deep sense of our own 
vileness, and of the Lord's mercies, forms the principal 
preparation for joining cordially in the song of the re- 
deemed. Ordinances, providences, and experiences con- 
cur in teaching the true believer these lessons. Our 
sighs, groans, and tears, nay our very blunders and mis- 
carriages, though discordant and distressing, are, like the 
tunmg of an instrument, necessary to the subsequent har- 
mony. But it is a great mercy, with such hearts as our's, 
and in such a world as this, to be kept from dishonoring 
God and the gospel ; and we have therefore abundant cause 
to be thankful that the Lord hath hitherto helped us in any 

* His Corameotary. 



VI.] REV. J. CAMPBELL. 85 

measure ; our poor history would have been much worse 
without this. 

" I find it very good to look back on all the way which 
the Lord hath led me : and, though I can recollect few 
days that I would wish to spend over again, yet I can see 
that mercy and goodness have followed me all my days ; and 
then I learn to hope that they will continue to do so to the 
end, and for ever. I feel more and more my need of daily 
renewing my acceptance of Christ and his free salvation ; 
for my best needs pardoning, before it can be either accept- 
ed or rewarded. I wish to steer between pharisaical pride 
and antinomian licentiousness : but hard it is to keep clear 
of these two rocks on which so many perish ! The Lord 
the Spirit can alone pilot us between them. 

'^ I beg an interest in your prayers, and shall be glad to 
see you. In the mean time I remain with sincere wishes 
and prayers for your increasing comfort, &c. 

" Your friend and servant, 

" Thomas Scott.'^ 



" Chapel Street, September 29, 1792. 
^' DEAR SIR, 

" I RECEIVED your's and sent the enclosed to Miss 
R : but we have not seen her since you left Lon- 
don, as we expected we should. I am, thank God, much 
better in health than when you were in town ; but I have 
as much cause to groan being burdened^ on account of the 
body of sin that dwells and works within, as any man : but 
I would thank God for, and rejoice in Christ Jesus and 
his redemption, and in hopes of final deliverance and victo- 
ry ; of which such groans and griefs are no inconsiderable 
evidences. 

" My time to-day will not allow me to enlarge, as I do 
Bot wish to defer sending the parcel any longer ; else I 
could descant concerning the affairs of the poor French* 
Alas, they have cast off God, and his word, as a nation, by 
public authority ; and he seems for a time to have cast them 
off. Abimelech and the men of Shechem* seem to be the 
emblem of their present condition, and that of the emi- 
grants, &c. The folly of human wisdom, the danger of 
aiming at a speculative perfection beyond the state of fal- 
len nature, the mischief of infidelity, the emptiness of po* 

^Judj^jes ix. 

8 



86 LETTERS TO THE [No. 

liteness and refinement ; these and many other topics might 
be profitably considered, and ilkistrated from their exam- 
ple. But I trust that eventually the Lord will bring good 
from their calamities, and that the cause of sober liberty ; 
and even of evangelical religion will be promoted by these 
confused and tragical events. However, the Lord reigns, 
the ark is safe, whatever floods come, and I hope we are 
in the ark, and so that all will be well ; and we shall ap- 
prove the Lord's whole plan, when we view it accom- 
plished. 

" I remain with good wishes and prayers for your com- 
fort and best welfare, 

" Your sincere friend and servant, 

-'' Thomas Scott.'^ 

*' Chapel Street, June 28, 1793. 
^' DEAR SIR, 

" I WAS called to leave town some days sooner than I 
expected, just after I received the favour of your's by Mr. 
Newton, and the constant succession of engagements that I 
have ever since met with has occasioned my delay in an- 
swering it. 

" I entirely agree with you in your observations on the 
state of things in this and the neighbouring nations : the 
hand of God is lifted up, but men will not see. I feel no 
. disposition to vindicate the abuses that prevail either in 
church or state : they are great and many ; but not greater 
or more than the state of human nature, well understood, 
may lead us to expect. I fear our national prosperity is de- 
clining because of our sins : and I hope that the Lord will 
bring some glorious consequences from the confusion and 
miseries that are diffused on the continent. But the care 
of my own soul, and attention to my own duty, and to my 
ministry that I have received of the Lord, are enough for 
me ; and no good can be obtained by intermeddling out of 
our proper sphere. All I do is to be a peace-maker, where I 
have influence ; as I find that Satan makes great use of 
these disputes to divide Christians, and prejudice them 
against each other. Whatever events take place, we shall 
be safe in the ark, and may have comfort in communion 
with God and his saints, if we duly mind our own business, 
and improve our privileges. 

" I thank you for your observations on my little tract on 
government ; but I am not convinced that the ' certain con- 



VI.] REV. J. CAMPBELL. 87 

ceivable cases mentioned in it are similar to occult causes ; 
for the state of things at the revolution, in 1688, was ex- 
actly the case of which I conceived ; and I think a Chris- 
tian, according to the duty of his station, might very pro- 
perly have concurred in bringing about that event, and dis- 
appointing a small faction in the state, who were aiming 
to destroy the liberties and religion of a great nation; as 
all descriptions of persons clearly saw. It was therefore a 
revolution evidently called for by almost the unanimous 
voice of the nation, as the event proved. — I may further 
add, that this was the only passage in the book which was 
inserted at the desire of those friends, whose judgment I 
had most reason to look up to ; and it was thought it would 
render the statement more impartial and unexceptionable 
than it would otherwise have been. 

'^ In respect to my aifairs, I shall lose 500/. and get the 
copy-right, which may perhaps be an advantage some 
time, but I am very well satisfied : if good be done, my end 
is answered. 

" Mrs. S. who is tolerably well, thank God, desires to be 
kindly remembered to you, and we both desire your pray- 
ers for us, and our's. 
^^ I remain 

'•Your affectionate friend and servant, 

•^ Thomas Scqtt.'^ 



No. TIL 

LETTERS TO THE REV. DOCTER RYLAND * 

1787—1797. 

^' Chapel Street, January 20, 1787. 
^' DEAR SIR, 

'* I WAS aware that you would not readily accede to 
what I advanced! upon the extent, or sufficiency of the 
death of Christ ; nor do I feel much inclined to attempt a 
more full discussion of the subject. But, as this was one of 
the first impressions I had of evangelical truth, and as I 
have never seen cause-is- the least to alter ray sentiment ; 
but have been more and more confirmed in it by every 
renewed examination : as it forms, and ever has formed, a 
very prominent feature in my preaching, and the very 
basis of all my invitations and warnings, and declarations of 
wrath against those who Jieglect so great salvation: as it is 
evidently the doctrine of the church of England, and of 
most of our more eminent divines : it was very proper that 
I should avow it on this occasion ; (because it would have 
had an appearance of insincerity and shuffling, if I had not:) 
though I then foresaw, and now find, that many consider it 
as rather the most exceptionable part of the sermon ; and 
it has given Mr. Simms a handle to trouble some people's 
minds. However, in the long run, ' honesty is the best pol- 
icy :' and most of the ministers, and even some in your 
line, cordially approve of the distinction. I suppose you 
will allow that there is an infinite sufficiency in the merit of 
Christ's atonement : and / do not in the least suppose (nay 
I avow the contrary,) that the death of Christ was intended 
to save those who eventually perish. You will allow that 
the language of the cross is good-itill to me;?, though sinners: 
and / allow that there is a peculiar purpose of special lovQ 

* Formerly of Northampton, now of Bristol. 

I In his Sermoo oo Election and final Perseverance. See Life, p. 
164, 42«. 



VIL] LETTERS TO REV. DR. RYLANO. W 

to the elect. You will allow that no man perishes because 
of any deficiency in the provision made in the gospel ; J)ut 
for want of an appetite for that provision: and / allov/ that 
God gives that appetite to none but those for whom that 
provision was specially intended. In short I cannot but 
think that you allow as much as I do, every time you invite 
a sinner to come to Christ, insist that faith in Christ is every 
one's duty, and unbelief an aggravated act of rebellion. And 
the reason why I think the distinction important (for I have 
other reasons for thinking it true^ is, that it affords, in my 
view, the only firm large ground for invitations ; gives the 
most easy opening for encouragement to awakened sinners ; 
and leaves the sinner the most inexcusable. I am far from 
thinking that the lost soul can, in PauPs sense, adopt his 
words ; (Gal. ii. 20 :) for they refer to the special love and 
intention of Christ : but the lost sinner may say, ^ I am lost, 
not for want of sufficiency in the atonement, or of love in 
the heart of Christ, but through my own inexcusable im- 
penitence and unbelief.' And this, I think, you will allow. 
In the second edition, which is coming out, I have added 
one more note upon the subject, and should have gone on 
further, but that I considered that it would come into fewer 
hands ; and that, if it were necessary, I had better state and 
consider the subject in a distinct publication. — I trust the 
effect here has been considerable; though many have left 
us, and there are difficulties : yet I am not left to discour-^ 
agement. Such shiftings and separations do no harm.-— Mr. 
]\ewton is, I think, too much afraid of controversy ; others 
are too fond of it. It is necessary that some should contend 
for the truth, and oppose error : but we must look well to 
our spirits, not only lest we grow warm, but lest we forget 
in our preaching the proportio7i which the truth we defend 
bears to the whole system.— If you have any strong new 
arguments against my sentiments, I shall be obliged to you 
for tliem. Mr. Newton is very favourable to tjve sermon. — - 
I can sympathize with you, and I hope do not forget to pray 
for you in respect of your severe trials I trust the end will 
be mercy and advantage : and I hope it will be better in a 
temporal sense than your fears; and that the Lord will 
spare and restore your help-meet. But all here is vanity 
and vexation, and nothing can comfort us long but the 

blessed Comforter As for me my ground is taken; 

and, unless some one really convinces me that I am in error, 
J must maintain it as long, and as well as I can : the sword 

8^ 



90 KETTERS TO THE [Na, 

is drawn, and I must either yield, or follow up my stroke 
one way or other. I am yet in doubt how things will be 
at the lock, but have many firm friends. But I have 
neither ambition nor expectation of proselyting the world. 
We are both opposing the same error, of most fatal ten- 
dency ; and contending for the same truth, of invaluable 
excellency : and, if you feel yourself firmer on your ground, 
fight on, and the Lord will prosper you ! But the little ditch- 
between us rather prevents our stepping so well to each 
other's assistance. — With best wishes and love to yourself^, 
Mrs. R. &:c. 

" I remain your afiectionate brother, 

" Thomas Scott." 

" Chapel Stieef, June 18, 1787. 
'^DEAR SIR, 

"I WAS much disappointed in not finding you at home, 
as 1 rode through Northampton in my way to Creaton, and 
still more so when I found that you were not expected 
home till the next evening ; as the two mornings were the 
only time I could possibly contrive to spend with you, and 
I stood engaged to preach twice the next day at Woolston, 
near Newport. My journey into the country was unex- 
pected and short, and my preaching and engagements so 
numerous, that I wonder I was enabled to go through with 
them : but I had so many pleasing things to support me, 
that it was a very comfortable journey; and returning to 
town was like putting to sea in stormy weather. But he 
who hath caused me to triumph in other places is able to 
bring about the same here too : and he will do it, if he give 
me faith, patience, prudence, and meekness. — Nothing but 
necessary engagements prevented my calling on other 
friends at Northampton : though, when I found you from 
home, and things so different than formerly, I had so many 
thoughts crowded into my mind, that I had no heart to call 
any where else that morning; and, as I could not see you 
the next morning, I returned to Ravenstone that night, as 
much more convenient for my next day's work. 

'' Believe me, dear sir, it was not from want of sympathy 
that I did not write to you under your heavy affliction :* 
but I am conscious that I am not much master of the con- 
solatory strain ; and of all temporal afflictions your's is that 
I am most unmanned, as it were in the thought of. I was 

^ The death of Mrs. Rylarid. 



VIL] REV. DR. RYLAND. 91 

sure that abler pens would be employed on the subject ; 
and it appears to me that the Bible and the throne of grace 
are the only effectual supports under, and time the only ef- 
fectual cure for, such a stroke. I heard of it too at a time 
%vhen I was especially employed ; and I had thoughts of 
writing, but was led to procrastinate. I did not utterly for- 
get to pray for you. 

'' And now in answer to your letter with the printed case 
about Mr. Carey. I am sure I wish him success with all my 
heart. I have some little knowledge of him personally, and 
have heard a very favourable account of him from many ; 
and I think the case itself is very modest and frugal ; but I 
am afraid I cannot do any thing in it at present. Really my 
influence with the professors of religion in London, eveia 
those who brought me hither, is very small ; except as party 
is concerned with some, and as with others regard to the 
poor patients prevails. I believe no minister in London is 
so unpopular. Others may be more unknown, or have aZe^s 
name, but none so ill a name, as to doctrine and preaching. 
No sort owns me, neither one nor another : and those wh© 
have seemed to favor me think me wrong ; that I carry 
things too far ; or they do not know what to make of me. 
A few very respectable friends I have ; but I am obliged to 
lean so very hard on them for my own maintenance, — that 
is, knowing my circumstances, they assist me so liberally, — 
and I have been so troublesome in other things, that I can- 
not have the face to ask them at present.* 

^' You have perhaps heard that the Lord is making me the 
instrument of establishing a sort of new charity in additioa 
to the Lock Hospital, called the Lock Asylum, for the re- 
ception of any of the poor women who seem to be penitent 
under their cure. I sent abroad a pamphlet, stating their 
misery who had no home but a brothel, nor any mode of 
subsistence but prostituti9n ; and proposed founding a place 
for their reception. This brought together several gentle- 
men ; through many difficulties, and steering clear of many 

* See Life, p. 283. — While it is thus recorded that Dr. Carey, like many 
other sreai and good men, at the commencement of his course needed the 
pecuniary assistance of his friends, let this be connected with the statement 
^'hich I heard about the year 1810 from the lips of the late Rev. Andrew 
Fuller, secretary to the Baptist Mission : " We now expend," he said, " be- 
tween 6000/. and 7000/. annually on the mission and translations ; one half 
of which sum is furnished bv three individuals — the men who do the work. 
The missionaries, Carey, Marshnian, and Ward, earn considerably more 
than 1000/ a year each, by their literary labors ; aad they throw the whole 
into tl^e commoD fund of the mission." 



92 LETTERS TO [No. 

rocksj the plan has heon adopted, subscriptions are raising,.| 
we are about to hire a house, and I trust the Lord will make'j 
it very useful. But it lies heavy on my few friends : reli- 
gious professors in general do not much assist me ; worldly 
people seem more ready. Then I am raising a sum of mc 
ney to purchase Welsh bibles for a multitude of people who 
cannot get any.* These and other things of the kind render 
present assistance impracticable : what may be done in a 
few months I cannot say. However, in the midst of all I 
have every reason to believe I am made considerably useful. 

" I have not room to say much on the subject of your let- 
ter by Mr. R. I am very far from acting on the offensive 
in the business ; or from supposing that invitations, &:c. can- 
not consist with a more restricted view : but it seems to me 
that there is design and wisdom in the generality with which 
the word of God speaks on that subject ;t which we lose 
sight of and counteract, when we are too nice and system- 
atic. I own I am not quite satisfied with brother Fuller's 
criticisms upon that subject, and feel confident I could an- 
swer them : but I leave that to such as agree least with 
those who come nearest to them. Upon Mr. Burton's scheme 
men fight pinioned, and can scarcely strike at all. Mr. F. 
has got his string much loosened ; but yet, 1 think, not be- 
ing quite loose, it catches him sometimes, and he misses a 
blow now and then. But I wish you all success. May the 
Lord give us a right understanding in all things ! 

" I remain your affectionate friend and brother, 

^* Thomas Scot^." 

Chapel Street, January 30, 178S. 
•^ DEAR SIR, 

" As to my situation, I am very well satisfied with 

it, if I can but maintain my post. I am not popular, and 
have very much ceased to covet popularity. You may buy 
even gold too dear : and I think popularity is often too 
dear bought : at least I could not go to the price of it if I 
had the talents for it. But I have many respectable friends, 
and a considerable field and prospect of usefulness in many 
lines. The hospital and the asylum united with it furnish 
me with much work, and, I trust, not labour in vain : and 
you will be surprised when I inform you that I am actually 
engaged in writing expository notes and practical observa- 
tions, in my very plain way, upon the holy scriptures, to 

* Life, p. 181 — 184. t See the preceding letter. 



VII.] REV. DR. RYLAND. 93 

be published in weekly numbers I can truly say that I 

sympathize with you in your trials both personal and minis- 
terial : but the Lord will support you under and carry you 
through all. He is all-sufficient. Nay we cannot do with- 
out trials : we must be thankfiil for our medicines. I do not 
always forget you at the throne of grace : pray for me also. — 
If you should have an opportunity of getting any of the 
Hints to Patients into the hands of those in the hospital, I 
will give you some. 

^^ Yours affectionatelyj 

" Thomas Scott.'' 



" DEAR SIR, 



Cheapside, August 29, 1791. 



^^ When I think of such men as Mr. Huntington, 

I often am ready to compare them to Sampson, whose inge- 
nuity was employed in catching foxes, and tying firebrands 
to them, to burn up the crops, but Sampson used this strata- 
gem against Philistines ; they among Israelites. However, 
there must be heresies^ that they who are approved may he 
made manifest, — I am much obliged to you for your sermon, 
&c. respecting Mr. Hall : the remembrance of former times, 
and a concurrence of reflections, rendered the perusal of 
it very affecting to me. — I trust the Lord is with you to as- 
sist and prosper your labors, and that you will see more and 
more of the fruit of them from year to year ; for though 
the truth may be run down, it cannot be kept down. I 
remain, 

" Your most affectionate friend and brother, 

" Thomas Scott.'' 

Chapel Street, December 24, 1793. 
'^ DEAR SIR, 

I SUPPOSE you have seen that a pocket-book is pub- 
lished, the whole of the religious part of which was writ- 
ten or compiled by me ; and I bestowed some pains in ar- 
ranging texts of scripture into a sort of system of divini- 
ty. I have no property in it, but I was vain enough to 
think that it might prevent some mischief, which I appre- 
hend has been done by such text books, partially, negligent- 
ly, and injudiciously collected ; by which a half religion 
has been sanctioned. I suppose I shall continue it if I live, 
but with alterations ; and the pains bestowed about the texts 
has suggested to me the idea of a work upon the prophe- 
cies, the internal evidence of the several constituent parts 



94 LETTERS TO [No. 

of the scripture, &€., which seems io me to be original, 
and may perhaps be prosecuted )t' I have heahh and op- 
portunity.* Bat I have had some applications from a re- 
spectable quarter to publish a volumo or two of sermons.t 
So you see I am not likely to be cured of the cacoethes scri- 
bendiy by all my mortifications. So much for that promi- 
nent subject, self, — I have read Mr. Fuller's book J twice, 
and much approve of it : I think it sensible, pious, candid^ 
and judicious, and his manner of treating the Monthly Re- 
viewers must nonplus them ; though they are not to be put 
to shame. I am glad also to add, that my Electic brethren 
are unanimous in their approbation of it. I had some 
general idea, when I w^as reading it, that in some places 
he rather stood too much on the defensive ; and that he 
might have fairly urged the matter still further in some par- 
ticulars : but perhaps all things considered, this might be 
more prudent. I think a fair answer to it will not easily be 
made. — I have not seen any of the American books which 
you mention. From a pamphlet of Dr. Hopkins's, that I 
formerly saw, I did not think him equal to Edwards, or 
even to Bellamy : he seems to have an oifensive way of 
expressing even undeniable truths ; but perhaps further 
maturity of judgment may have rectified that obliquity. 
I should have no objection to make my observations on his 
body of divinity or on any other of the books that come in 
my way. — I can have no idea of our love or benevolence 
being too disinterested, if that word be properly explained ; 
but to desire happiness in the enjoyment of God, as the su- 
preme object of all love, and to desire that others also 
should join in the same felicity, seems perfectly to coincide 
with the two great commandments of the law, and to har- 
monize with making the divine glory our grand end in 
every thing. This kind of self-love belongs to us as crea- 
tures, not as sinners ; and it is the standard and measure of 
our love to our neighbor. In this respect I think some of 
the American divines, and others, have sometimes advanced 
things incautiously, and drawn unscriptural inferences from 
their reasonings as if all regard to our own happiness 
were interested or sinful ;§ or as if the glory of God, and 
the felicity of those who love him, could be separated : and 

^ Life, p. 216. t Tbid. p. 213. | On Socinianism. 

§ Edwards fully allows that there is a i^raoions self-love : see his Trea* 
tise on Religious AfiectioJis, p. 14G, 147, &lc. J. R. 



VII.} TxEV. DR, RYLAND. 95 

I have known many excellent people discouraged and per- 
plexed by such things. 

" I know so little of the nriture of your new situation* and 
its duties, that I am utterly incompetent to suggest any 
counsel. I do however sincc^rely rejoice that you are fixed 
in it, and little doubt but God will give you wisdom to fill it 
to his glory, and also find a pastor for your former people. — 
Desiring an interest in your prayers, and begging the Lord 
to prosper 3^our soul and labors, I remain, 

^^ Your affectionate friend and brother, 

" Thomas Scott." 



*^ DEAR SIR, 



'^Chapel Street, December 23, 1794. 



" I AM at present busy in writing notes on the 
Pilgrim's Progress,! and superintending a very handsome 
edition of that admirable book. I find great satisfaction in 
my employment ; and hope to produce an useful and ac- 
ceptable work. It will, I have no doubt, go off well even 
in its present expensive form : but I have so settled my 
terms as to be at liberty, after a limited time, to publish it in 
any other way I please. It appears to me that a better ve- 
hicle can hardly be had, for communicating evangelical 
truth to careless and pharisaical people, than this work, 
which is read by thousands with avidity, who are strangers 
or enemies to its real principles ; and that it is equally 
convenient for conveying an antidote to every degree of 
antinomian poison, working among evangelical professors : 
though in confidence I whisper to you, that the notes hith- 
erto written upon it appear to me in some cases to favor 
sentiments which Bunyan would have opposed, and which 
tend, contrary to the intention of the writers, to antinomi- 

anism 

" I cannot but hope that the Lord hath considerable 
good to do by you at Bristol, and the adjacent parts. May 
he preserve your health and life, increase your wisdom, 
zeal, and ministerial endowments, and abundantly bless 
your public and private labors. — I rejoice to hear of the 
prospect that opens before your missionaries in Asia ; yet, 
knowing something of human nature, I cannot but believe 
that it will rise violently against their message, when the 
Hindoos and others, generally understand the nature and 
tendency of it, and the humbling mortifying things it 

* At Bristol. t Life, p. 213, 413. 



96 LETTERS TO THE [No. 

implies. Did I therefore correspond with the missiona- 
ries, I should above all things caution them agains being 
too sanguine, and exhort them to pray without ceasing, 
not only for the patience of suffering, but also for the pa- 
tience of waiting ; in my idea, the most essential requisite 
for a modern missionary. I have, however, no doubt that 
the Lord will eventually bless the design ; and I have the 
satisfaction to say, that even some of my acquaintance, 
who are not very favourable to dissenters, highly ap- 
plaud it. 

" As to my situation, it has in it many discouragements ; 
yet I trust some good is done : and I dgsire to wait, hope, 
and pray for a larger pouring out of the Spirit from on 
high ; without which all is in vain — 

" I remain, dear Sir, most cordially, 
" Your affectionate friend and brother, 

" Thomas Scott.'' 

"Chapel Street, June 27, 1797. 
'• DEAR SIR, 

"Had I entertained the least idea that my thoughts 
on Hopkins's publications, and on the Theological Maga- 
zine, were appointed to pass the ordeal of American criti- 
cism in a public manner, I should certainly have bestowed 
rather more pains on them ; (for I wrote them but once 
over, as fast as my nimble pen could move, without stop- 
ping, so that the whole of the two letters cost me no more 
than about two hours and a half; and I should have used 
rather more caution and delicacy of expression. However 
I do not greatly regret what I have done : let them shift 
for themselves ; but I would decline all controversy about 

them As to what is said of Calvinism, and Arminianism, 

and consistency, I can only say, that I certainly believe the 
doctrines of grace, without the least exception to free, un- 
conditional, eternal election to everlasting life in Christ 
Jesus ; and I do not yet perceive (though I have often been 
told so both by Arminians and Calvinists,) that I hold any 
thing inconsistent with that belief. But I am not very anx- 
ious about consistency : I apprehend that in this world we 
see truth by compartments, as it were, and are as incom- 
petent to take in the whole of what is revealed at one view, 
so as fulJy to perceive its symmetry and proportions as an 
insect is to view the various part of a building at once, 
and to decide on the architecture I know not how it is, 



VIIJ REV. DR. RYLAND. 97 

but the older I grow the more I love the Bible, and the 
less I relish any speculations or distinctions that do not evi- 
dently spring from the scriptures, or help me to understand 
them better, or to feel more of their influence on my 
heart. — I have not altered my opinion of the Theological 
Magazine by what I have read of the numbers you last 
sent me. It is the most perfect contrast to our Evangeli- 
cal Magazine that can well be imagined. Much of the 
religion of Old England seems to me to renounce or con- 
found the most important scriptural distinctions, and all 
depth of study and investigation whatever : much of that 
[the present divinity] of New England, &;c. to run into 

unscriptural disquisitions and refinements I have given 

their system a full share of investigation along with many 

others that have made as high pretensions I do think 

many questions, asked and answered in the Theological 
Magazine, relate to things absolutely beyond the limits of 
human knowledge ; and have a powerful tendency to pro- 
duce first a curious and then a skeptical spirit ; and, if num- 
bers do not speculate themselves and one another into 
infidelity, I am mistaken. — The scriptures teach us that 
things are so and so, but they do not gratify our curi- 
osity by explaining how they are so ; and generally we 
are incapable of comprehending the manner ^ if it were 
explained. I believe the justice of God in the damnation 
of sinners ; but probably I should not fully understand all 
the reasons and grounds of it, if revealed : yet this is a far 
plainer subject than many on which such speculations are 
indulged. I believe that God is infinitely Messed^ as being 
unchangeably all-sufficient, and because he has revealed it ; 
but I cannot explain or comprehend his infinite blessed- 
ness. The nature of holiness^ as conformity to the divine 
law, and to the divine image shewn us through the incar- 
nate Saviour, seems far more level to my apprehension, 
and more applicable to practice, than all that has been 
said of the nature of virtue as love to beings proportioned 
to its greatness and goodness ;^ though I do not deny, 
or even doubt the truth of it. But I apprehend the mul- 
tiplication of such discussions, and attempts from reason 
to shew the nature of holiness, has taken the attention of 
many from the plain word of God ; and I observe senti- 

* fn a postscript he observes, "Even when I have no objection to the 
sentiment, I seem to hear men speak in a strange tongue, very different 
from that of the sacred oracles." 

9 



98 LETTERS TO [N.O. 

ments brought forward, as supposed to result from the 
general principle, which I could easily shew to be anti- 
scriptural ; though I do not believe that the principle im- 
plies them : but it is too abstruse for general utility. In 
short, I feel myself more and more to be very ignorant, 
and liable to err where I thought myself most sure ; I 
am thoroughly satisfied that the Bible is the word of God ; 
my desire and aim are to understand, explain, and apply it 
to practical purposes. Ye arc complete in Christ — in whom 
are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I have 
BO need to go to any other teacher, any more than to any 
other Saviour. Self-wisdom seems to me as dangerous as 
self-righteousness. Mysteries could never have been 
known if not revealed, and can be understood no further 
than revealed. I am afraid of attempting to be wise above 
what is written, or of intruding into things not seen, vainly 
puffed up ivith a jleshly mind, I hear my Saviour say, Ex-- 
cept ye receive the kingdotn of God as a little child, ye shall 
?iot enter therein; and his apostle add, to the speculating 
Corinthians, If any man among you seem to he wise, let him 
become a fool that he may he icisc : for the Lord knoweth 
the thoughts of the wise that they are vain ; aud he taJcetk 
the wise in th^ir own craftiness : Be not icise in your own 
conceits. These things render me more cautious than I us- 
ed to be. The first temptation was, Ye shall he as Gods 
knoicing good and evil ; and the tree of knowledge bore 
the forbidden fruit. Vain man would he wise ; and thirst 
after knowledge is liable to excess, and needs restraining, as 
well as others of our natural propensities. When I am dis- 
posed to ask a question to which the scriptures have not 
given an answer, I seem to hear Christ say to me. What is 
that to thee? follow thou me. The silence of scripture is in- 
structive, and teaches us that the subject concerning which 
nothing is said is not suited to our present condition : as I 
tell my children when they ask an improper question, You 
are not capable of understanding that matter at present : you 
may be so in due time. — I cannot but think that many of the 
modern American divines have greatly lost sight of these 
scriptures, and are very deficient in that kind of modesty 
and humility, which relates to consciousness of incompe- 
tency to know the deep things of God, They seem little to 
feel as David did when he said. Such knowledge is too won- 
derfid for me ; it is high, I cannot attain unto it : or as 
Paul did when his discussions on the divine decrees termina- 



VIL] REV. DK. RYLANI>. 99 

ted in the exclamation^ O the depth of the riches both of the 
wisdom and knoivledge of {rod ! How unsearchable are his 
Judgments^ and his ivays past finding out /....... 

^' I remain, dear sir, 

" Your affectionate friewd and brother, 

''■ Thomas Scott." 

In the preceding letters, allusion has been made to ob- 
servations, communicated to Dr. Ryland, on certain works 
of Dr. Hopkins, a New England divine. From k fragment 
of these observations on Hopkins's Sermons, I transcribe a 
few sentences which may not be without their use. 

" The argument excluding absolutely, and in all senses, 
the intervention of means in regeneration, seems to me ex- 
pressly to contradict the scripture. 1 Pet. i, 23. James i, 

18 1 apprehend no sinner ever heard and read the 

scripture, and prayed for a new heart, under a conviction 
(which millions of unconverted men have had,) that with- 
out this change he must perish everlastingly, and persisted 
in this way, however selfishly and legally it were done, pro- 
vided any thing were meant ; but regeneration certainly 

took place I think the general invitations of scripture, 

to which promises are annexed, (such as Matt. vii. 8, 9 ; 
James i, 5 ;) encourage even such prayers. When I was 
a Socinian I credited these promises, and acted upon them : 
I leave it to others to determine whether I was regenerate 
or not ; but I know that the Lord heard and answered my 
prayers, and, in the use of means, a mighty change was 
effected. I have therefore always encouraged the use of 
means without restriction, in others ; except as distinguish- 
ing the sham beggar from the real one — which I think is 
the only scriptural distinction; and consequently have dis- 
approved of nice distinctions in addressing sinners^ and cal- 
ling them to seek the Lord : though I would distinguish as 
much as possible in helping professors to examine whether 
they be in the faith, ^^ 

" I am decidedly of opinion that there was spirituality in 
both Brainerd and Edwards, in that (early) part of their 
experience which they totally condemn. It was, in part, 
above nature, and contrary to nature, though vastly alloyed. 
The day had broken, though darkness still prevailed. 
Here I think they all differ from scripture ; for their state- 
ments uniformly discourager the diligence of newly awaken- 
ed persons, (as J have had many opportunities of observ- 



100 LETTERS TO [No. 

ing,) by setting them to inquire whether they were seek- 
ing spiritually : but the scripture always encourages every 
one to ask. seek, and knock ; and says, Then shall ye know 
if ye follow on to know the Lord. It is not necessary for 
us to answer such questions in order to accept the invitation, 
where all that will are welcome. But, if we would (subse- 
quently) determine whether our faith be living and our 
hope genuine, we must assay it by the standard. If (even 
then) we cannot come upon the ground of the promises, 
(made to certain characters,^ we must come upon the war- 
rant of the invitation, which requires no qualification, and 
admits of no hesitation, provided we apply m order to re- 
ceive, and do not take it for granted that we have received, 
and then call that faith. Here I have many years rather 
dilTered from even admired Edwards and Brainerd, rather 
more from Bellam.y. and still more from Hopkins. It is 
not necessary to distinguish the seeds till they have grown 
awhile, and then they are easily distinguishable." 

" When men are taught to judge of their feelings by cer- 
tain rules, and to expect things to occur in a certain order, 
they will often imagine that things go on in that order, and 
Call their feelings by peculiar names. Thus different 
classes of men naturally relate experiences of their own 
sort. There is a sameness in the relations of Arminian 
?.Iethodists ; another in that of Calvinistic Methodists. 
Huntington's disciples all experience in the same manner : 

so do Mr. "s people ; and so do those of the New 

England divines. I own I vastly prefer the latter for sub- 
stance : but the exact order I view in the same light (in 
all) ; because the scripture does not lay it down. The 
thing wrought is all. not the order : the former is the same 
in all ftrue Christians.^ the latter almost infinitelv varied. 
INIen of lively imaginations, watching their teelings, will, 
when in earnest about religion, commonly think they ex- 
perience as they suppose they should do, and will infer 
their conversion from the regularity and order of their ex- 
perience, rather than from its effects on tlieir future lives : 
while more cool and diffident persons will be perpetually 
harassed with apprehensions that they are unconverted, 
however evident the change, because their alarms, com- 
forts, &c. did not come in regular course ; and they cannot 
speak of such experience as others do. This is worst 
when the experience itself is enthusiastic ; but it leads to. 
delusion or discouragement at all times*'^ 



I 



VII.j REV. DR. RYl^AND. lOl 

It may not be superfluous here to caution tiie reader 
against supposing, that the above observations on religious 
experience tend to throw a suspicion over the whole sub- 
jectj and to impeach what has been often alleged concern- 
ing the coincidence of experience in Christians of all ages 
and countries. — By religious experience we understand, 
that series of effects produced upon the mind, in its varying 
circumstances, under the influence of the Koly Spirit, by 
means of revealed truth. This will, of course, be in a mea- 
sure aflected by the peculiar modification of truth present- 
ed to the mind : but such modification no more destroys 
the reality and consistency of Christian experience in all 
the great outlines, than the variations, national or individu- 
al, of the human countenance, prevent there being a cer- 
tain configuration, and combination of features, which char- 
acterize the family of man. 



9* 



No. VIII. 

TO THE EDITOR— CHIEFLY WHILE AT COLLEGE* 

1796—1803. 



The first letter which I shall introduce in the present 
class treats of a subject on which my father was of opinion 
that much neglect of scriptural rules, and consequently 
much deviation from the path of duty, frequently takes 
place in Christian societies, and among individual Chris- 
tians. It relates to the case of 

SCANDALS, 

occasioned by persons "professing godliness'' acting in 
such a way as to disgrace their profession ; and to the con- 
duct to be adopted towards them. To the letter I shall 
annex a paper upon the subject written at a much later pe- 
riod — trusting to the indulgence of my readers to excuse 
any repetition which may be thus produced. 



*' Chapel Street, Februarj 17, 1796. 
^•DEAR JOHN, 

" Your letter reminds me of our Lord's words. Wo he 
to the iDorld because of offences ; it must needs he that of- 
fences come^ hut wo he to that man hy whom the offence coin' 
eth, I hope and trust, however, that the lamentable event 
which has occiured among you will produce a spirit of 
watchfulness and prayer ; and remind every one that what- 
ever may be hoped in the hour of temptation, shame and 
bitterness are the inevitable consequences of sin. I pray 
God to direct me to give you such counsel on the occasion 
as may be most suitable and salutary. In general you know 
my maxim, In medio tutissimus ibis. In most questions, 
doctrinal and practical, our business is to avoid extremes ; 
and Satan's subtilty consists in pushing us into extremes. — 
Three objects are before you, demanding your most exact 



VIII.] TO THE EDITOR. 103 

attention: 1. The credit of the gospel and the honor of 
God : 2. Your own and each other's benefit, as using every 
method of warning and watching over yourselves and each 
other, and fortifying your hearts against future tempta- 
tions : 3. The benefit of the offender, as far as it may con- 
sist with the other ends proposed. Now I am of opinion 
that the right line of conduct will best unite these three 
ends ; and that every deviation will evidently militate 
against some of them, and ideally defeat them all. If you 
shew such tenderness for the offender as to maintain your 
former familiarity with him, admit him to your religious 
meetings,* and allow him, on general concessions, to pro- 
ceed as formerly ; you will evidently give the enemies of 
the gospel occasion to think that your principles are lax in 
their tendency ; that your zeal is about doctrines and 
forms ; that you are only a kind of party connected togeth- 
er by certain peculiarities of notion ; and that you do not 
abhor sin, or fear and love God, more than the openly 
loose characters. In short, they will either charge your 
profession with hypocrisy, or your principles with tending 
to licentiousness. At the same time, this excessive and un- 
scriptural lenity would tend to weaken, in the minds of 
others, the dread and abhorrence of evil, would induce un- 
watchfulness, and make way for temptation. Evil commu- 
uications corrupt good manners : A little leaven leaveneth 
the whole lump : and I dare foretel, that if you relax your 
strictness in this respect, your meetings will not long re- 
main undisgraced, or your society respectable as it has 
been. I have known many instances in which prayer-* 
meetings, and other things of that kind, have been render- 
ed contemptible, and even mischievous, for want of censur- 
ing and excluding offending persons. By such lenity, 
indeed, you might perhaps preserve the offender among 
you, and keep him from contrary connexions : but, unless 
he be truly humbled, and deeply penitent, he will only re- 
main, as an Achan in the camp, to your hurt, not to his 
©wn.good. 

On the other hand, harshness and severity in rebuking or 
exposing them, while they might seem to shew a due regard 
to the honor of the gospel, and to exhibit a proper exam- 
ple and warning, that others might fear, watch, pray, shun 
temptation, and resist it ; wovild evidently militate against 

* See Letter of JNor. 13, 1795, Life, p. 223t 



104 LETTERS TO {No. 

the good of the offeiiderj and drive him to a distance from 
the means of good, and among the enemies of all religion :. 
or, if he were deeply convinced of guilt, he might he 
tempted to give up his hope. Nor would this conduct ex- 
kihit the Christian spirit in an amiahle and honorahle light, 
or tend to the promotion of tenderness, humility, and com- 
passion in your own souls. 

" The scriptural rules in these respects are clear. So 
long as the offender gives no proof of a penitent disposition, 
you are bound to withdraw from his society : and that so 
decidedly, that all may see you totally disapprove of his 
conduct, and deem it, while unrepented of, entirely irre- 
concileable with your principles. But this should be done 
in the spirit of meekness, love, and prayer : and, if two or 
three of the most established among you, and such as are 
known to have most command of their temper, should go, 
in the name of the whole company that meet together, 
mildly to admonish, counsel, and exhort him, it might per- 
haps open the way for restoring him that has been overtax 
ken with a fault, in the spirit of meekness — considering 
yourselves, lest you also he tempted. If tokens of genuine 
humiliation appear, he should gradually be encouraged, 
and admitted to your company in private, or by your going 
to see him ; yet cautiously, that your observers may per- 
ceive you do it as a physician visits a sick person, not from 
the love of an infected room, but from compassion for the 
diseased, and to give medicine. But even then he ought 
not to be very soon admitted to your meetings ; and, when 
that is done, it should be only as a hearer, till full satisfac- 
tion of deep repentance has been given. — If these things be 
managed in the meekness of wisdom, xind in a spirit of 
prayer for him, and for the direction for yourselves, I am 
persuaded that, provided he be penitent, he will submit to 
this treatment with humble patience, and be convinced of 
its propriety : but, should he resent your reserve, caution, 
and suspension, and persist in so doing, I should have little 
hope in the case at present : ^nd, though you should try to 
pull him out of the ditch, you should also be careful that he 
does not pull you in. — The difference also between the 
shame of detection, and the remorse of contrition, should 
be carefully noted. The former regards our own credit, 
and induces earnestness to preserve or recover it : the lat- 
ter is comparatively regardless of our own credit, provided 
the honor of God and the gospel be secured. Yet 



VIII.] THE EDITOPw. 105 

it must be owned that there are great mixtures even in 
real penitents, especially at first. It is however requisite 
that the offender should be made ashamed, and submit to 
censure : and I apprehend his being brought to the dispo- 
sition willingly to acquiesce in this, and to a determination 
to come as much aniong you as he may do, notwithstand- 
ing it may be considered as a test of his s|)irit, whether 
truly humbled or not. I only add, watch every opportu- 
nity of restoring him, but by no means countenance him 
while unrestored. — May the Lord give you wisdom, com- 
passion, and meekness ; and give him repentance unto sal- 
vation ! 

" I remain your ever affectionate father, 

'' Thomas Scott.'' 

HINTS 

On a question^ relative to the conduct to be observed towards 
fallen brethren, discussed at a clerical meeting, at which 
he could not be present : 1815. 

'' The question relates exclusively to persons who have 
been considered as religious characters, but who have fal- 
len, or are supposed to have fallen, into sins which, in pro- 
portion as they are known, must disgrace their profession 
in the e^^es of the world. It is of great importance : and 
it appears to me, that an unscriptural conduct with respect 
to such cases is very common, both among private Chris- 
tians and ministers ; to the unspeakable detriment of the 
common cause. 

" Four objects are to be regarded in the consideration of 
it : 1. What line of conduct in us is most conducive to the 
good of the defaulter ; which consists in his being made 
deeply sensible of his guilt, and humbled for it, and not in 
his keeping up his confidence, comfort, or credit. 2. 
What line of conduct is most likely to prevent the unfa- 
vourable impression which such falls of professors make on 
those without, 3. What line of conduct is most conscien- 
tious in the sight of God, and suited to keep us from being 
partakers of other menh sins, 4. What is most suited to 
excite a spirit of watchfulness, self-examination, and prayer 
in other Christians, and to stop the progress of the infec- 
tion. But I would observe that, in order to adopt this line 
of conduct, natural temper must be consulted : for some 



106 LETTERS TO [So, 

would naturallt ])C too harsh and unrelenting, others too 
thnidj easy, and indulgent. Neither is the opinion of our 
fellow Christians in general a safe guide. Humility, ten- 
derness, and amiahle dispositions often lead men to imitate 
Eli and Jehosaphat. No man must he Icnowri after the 
fiesh, (2 Cor. v. l6.) Prejudices and partialities must be 
discarded. We must not act from our feelings, but from 
our judgment formed on the word of God. 

'' Again : We must not take it for granted that the pro- 
fessors in question are certainly converted persons, how- 
ever high they may have stood in our estimation, or in that 
of others : for God alone searcheth the hearts, and we are 
all of us often mistaken where most confident. 

'' Further : We must not confine our compassion to 
the culprit, but extend it to our fellow sinners and fellow 
Christians in general ; for tenderness, when unduly exer- 
cised to one, may be virtual cruelty to numbers. 

" Yet further : In attempting to restore one overtaken in 
a fault, we must distinguish between a single crime, and a 
continued, habitual course of sin, without adequate proofs 
of repentance. We must also distinguish between restora^ 
tion to God and holiness, and the person's reinstatement in 
feis own favourable opinion, and that of his fellow Chris- 
tians. — JVor must we take one text as our motto, so under- 
stood as may lead us to overlook and act contrary to other 
texts, in their plain and most undeniable meaning. 

" 1. Then it is evident that the apostle considered the 
line of conduct which he prescribed to the Thessalonians, 
not in any very scandalous case, yet with great decision, as 
conducive to the good of the offender. 2 Thess. iiu 6, 14, 
15. And the withdrawing of those who used to associate 
with him with confidence and cordiality, and their excluding 
him from among them, till he should give scriptural proof 
of repentance ; must be far more likely to lead him to con- 
sider his ways and repent of his sins, than keeping up a 
religious intercourse with him, nearly as if nothing had hap- 
pened, or nothing that impeached his sincerity. 

^'2, It is evident also that he considered this line of 
conduct as most conducive to the good of other Christians, 
and suited to stop the progress of the mischief which might 
otherwise be expected. 1 Cor. v. 1 — G. Heb. xii. }5. 
Jude 22, 23. 1 Cor.y. 6—12. Gal. ii. 11—14. 

^' 3. Further, he regarded it as most suited to counteract 
the effect of such evils on tlio minds of tho$e without, 



Y'II1.| TH« EDITOR* 107 

Compare 1 Thess. iw 10 — 13, with 2 Thess. iii. 6 — 15. 

1 Tim. V. 15. While we palliate, and excuse, and cover 
the sins of those of pur own party, and at the same time 
are severe upon the sins of others, where is the icisdom 
from above, which is without partiality ? The blame will 
in the minds and lips of bystanders be attached to our prin- 
ciples. But, when we withdraw, and enter our protest, ac- 
cording to scripture, we stop their mouths ; and the blame 
rests on the man. 

^' It is not needful for us to publish what we know even 
of scandals that are little known ; at least not always, or 
studiously : but, as such things will in general come out, it 
is equally wrong studiously and, as is sometimes done, be- 
yond the line of simplicity and godly sincerity , to veil and 
conceal them : for, when they do come to light, the whole 
load of blame falls on the company which has thus covered 
sin ; and, what is worse, on their views of the gospel. 

^' I am not able to go on to what belongs to appreciating 
the sincerity of the fallen professor's repentance ; but cer- 
tainly, while he says with Saul, I have sinned, yet honour 
me before the people ; while he palliates his offence and 
throws blame on others, and expresses displeasure against 
those who have brought his crimes to light ; and seems as 
much or more grieved at the detection, and his consequent 
loss of credit, (perhaps calling it a loss of usefulness,) as on 
account of his sin against God, and the mischief done to 
man ; it must be highly unsatisfactory. — Our opinion can- 
not affect his state ; if we err on the unfavourable side, it 
will not prevent his acceptance with God : but, if we err 
greatly on the other side, it will produce most pernicious 
consequences ; and may probably lull him into a fatal secu- 
rity. — St. Paul did not interpose about the reinstatement of 
the incestuous Corinthian, till his repentance was manifest, 
and there appeared danger lest Satan should take advantage 
on the other side, both against him and the common cause, 

2 Cor. ii. I have seldom met with those who have dis- 
graced the gospel by a continued course of concealed sin, 
which was at length discovered, who have been in danger 
of being swalloiced up of over-much sorrow. 

" It is enjoined : Thou shalt not hate thy brotfier in thy 
heart ; but shalt in any ivise rebuke thy neighbour, and not 
suffer sin upon him. In my more private line I have several 
times written a letter, plain and faithful, yet compassionate, 
seating what has been reported or proved, and appealing to 



108 LETTERS TO [No. 

the person's conscience, whether it were true or not ; and 
have, either at the time, or in another letter when no sat- 
isfactory effect had followed, counselled him (in a manner 
that has never yet been disregarded,) not to come to the 
Lord's table among us, till the matter should be cleared up. 
In some instances this has succeeded happily to the indi- 
vidual ; in all, I believe, it has taken off, or counteracted, 
when it became known, the unfavourable impression which 
would have been made with respect to us and our princi- 
ples ; and has excited searchings of heart, vigilance, and 
prayer among professors of religion. At the same time it 
has satisfied my conscience, that in this respect at least I 
was not partaker of other men^s sin. If this, or what we 
can do in this way will not avail, our Lord's rule is. Let 
Mm be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican : and we 
must not presume to be more merciful than our Master. 

" Had ministers of the gospel, in this day of relaxed dis- 
cipline, courage and firmness to adopt this line of conduct, 
or somewhat of a similar nature, impartiality among rich 
and poor, with intimate friends as well as others ; and to 
risk the consequences ; no one can well conceive how it 
would raise their credit even among the irreligious. I 
have found this. ' Well,' say they, ' this man is impartial : 
he is not decided against the sins of others only, but against 
those of his own party ; not only in the case of the poor, 
but in that of the rich.' But, without discipline, or any 
decided conduct in this respect, the ministerial authority 
sinks into neglect and contempt. — I need not say that our 
kindness in temporals, as far as it does not imply approba- 
tion ; and our openness to access, whenever it may tend to 
recover the fallen ; should be equally marked wiih our 
firmness, if we would produce any eminently salutary 
effect." 

We now return to the letters. 

" Ciiapel Street, December 29, 1796. 
^' You see among your little company at an epito- 
me of the profession of the gospel, especially in London. 
A laxity in practice, and a disposition to excuse worldly 
conformity in various instances, which a spiritual mind 
must disrelish, and which a discerning Christian must see 
to be of bad consequence in all respects, is alas ! very com- 
mon ; it is attended by a readiness to censure as precise, 
severe, and censorious, such ministers and Christians as 



VIII.] THE EDITOR. 109 

maintain the apostolic ground, Be not conformed to this 
world — redeem the time — do all to the glory of God^ S^c, 
Even in your situation you must expect to taste of that trial 
which I have for so many years sustained from professors, 
and even from real Christians, on this ground. But I hope 
you will be endued with firmness, fortitude, and the meek- 
ness of wisdom : and if, avoiding all eager disputation, you 
stand your ground properly, you may be of some use among 
your companions, though they may affect to censure or ridi- 
cule you." 

The following extracts relate to a college life and college 
fellowship : — 

Chapel Street, February 22, 1797. 
** I was aware when I placed you at — — in preference 
to other colleges, that you would not be so well situated as 
to temporal interests, as in other places : but my principles 
led me to give a decided preference to spiritual advanta- 
ges, and to act upon the maxim, that that is best for us 
which k best for our souls.- — I am greatly averse to the 
idea of a college life : a kind of stiffness, fastidiousness, 
and unfitness for domestic scenes, and for active usefulness, 
seems almost universally contracted by those who reside 
in colleges ; as well as a habit of having every thing their 
own way, which leads to impatience and an overbearing 
temper. My desire and prayer for you are, that you may 
be a minister of Christ, a pastor of his flock, to preach the 
gospel to the poor and unlearned, as cheerfully as to any 
others^ and to accommodate yourself to those scenes of 
life, which especially belong to that service. So that it will 
never bo with my approbation if you embrace a college 
life t and I think you name it very rightly when you speak 
of it as a temptation — from which temptation I pray that 
you may be preserved. — I am not very favourable to the 
idea of fellowships, generally ; because I believe they are 
temptations to many to choose a kind of life which is en- 
snaring to them, and often to turn life the wrong end for- 
wards : so that after living unmarried till they have contract- 
ed habits unsuitabl-e to domestic life, they marry when ad- 
vanced in life, and have families when they can ill brook the 
trouble, or exert themselves properly in the education of 
them. And let me tell you, that it is an easier matter to think 
at a distance of giving up a snug hundred or two a year, than 

10 



no* LETTERS TO [No. 

it is actually to part with it even at the call of duty and 

conscience You should watch and pray very much 

against the ambition of distinction, the pride of learning, 
and the desire of worldly advantages ; for these you must 
be exposed to, and they will greatly hurt your simplicity, 
comfort, and usefulness. If you simply and humbly give 
up yourself to the Lord for the work of the ministry, he 
will certainly both employ and provide for you. Take 
therefore no thought for the morroiVj S^c, 

Chapel Street, March 7, 1797. 

^' I WISH you to attain the solid advantages of learning, 

not so much that you may derive temporal emolument or 

distinction from them, as that you may be qualified to do 

good in the world : but I often observe these advantages 

to be bought too dear I still fear lest a fellowship, and 

academical influence or distinction, should win you over 
to a college life ; where, at ease, but often with little use- 
fulness, and I fear not seldom amidst temptations too pow- 
erful for them, many seem to while away life improperly. 
A fellowship separated from residence, as far as it is a tem- 
porary provision, and gives distinction or influence, which 
may subserve usefulness in future life, is less exceptiona- 
ble. Yet I find more and more from what I read and hear 
continually, that it is frequently the source of many evils ; 
and men are so loath to part with the sinecm-e emolument, 
that they submit to the conditions of keeping it, contrary 
not only to their inclination, but to their duty ; and then 
palliate matters to their consciences as well as they can. 
As to young men in general, as human nature is, I am de- 
cidedly against every thing that makes it their interest to 
live unmarried ; and therefore against fellowships in the 
abstract : and I was not displeased to hear JMr. Foster (him- 
self an old bachelor,) last night express himself strongly in 
favor of early marriage, as the best preservative of purity 
and good morals, in the present state of things : and I be- 
lieve any experienced and impartial observer, judging mere- 
ly from facts gradually coming to light, would be of the 
same opinion. But there are exceptions You see clear- 
ly then the ground on which I go, in saying that I can only 
advise you as a friend, and not prescribe to you as a 
father. Having nothing in my power towards promoting 
your temporal interest, I am not authorized to prohibit 
you from availing yourself of those advantages which may 



VIII.] THE EDITOR. Ill 

be laid in your way ; nor do I deem it your duty to refuse 
them absolutely ; bat only when the glory and authority of 
Godj the advantage of your own soul, and usefulness to the 
souls of others, call you to do it. I have a confidence that 
you v/ill not only pray, Lead us not into temptation^ but that 
you will have grace not to run yourself into temptation, 
and resolutely to reject every emolument or distinction which 
might lead you into it : yea that you will rather venture 
all consequences of being poor and obscure in the world, 
trusting in providence, and exercising yourself to have a 
conscience void of offence^ than admit of any plea of ne- 
cessity for living in a state in which you had not grace 
and strength to live according to the purity of God's pre- 
cepts, as in his sight, when that necessity arises merely 
from distrust, ambition, interest, or fondness for a man's 
own humor or projects, in opposition to the appointment, 
provision, and will of the great Creator. I placed you at 

, as for other reasons, so, secretly, that you might 

not have the temptation of a fellowship ; for such it cer- 
tainly is in general. But the considerations which I have 
urged being duly weighed and prayed over, I must now 
leave you to determine for yourself, as far as I am con- 
cerned.'^ 

In the year 1798 many members of the university, in 
common with a large portion of our population generally, 
were trained to the use of arms for the defence of the 
country. This led to questions which drew from him tho 
following observations : 

" Chapel Street, April 24, 1798. 
" I AM, by inclination and judgment, so very averse to 
the profession of arms, that I had rather see any of you 
coblers than colonels, I am likewise averse to any of those, 
whom I am especially concerned about, doing any thing 
that marks a strong political opinion. And yet the times 
are such, and the danger so great, not only to our 
civil liberty, our property, and every temporal interest, 
but to our religion itself; the contest seems so evidently 
to be, not merely pro focis^ but likewise pro aris ; that I 
hesitate in respect of all my inclinations and determina- 
tions. I should be sorry also at this time for you to be so 
particular, as to give reason to suspect that you were dis- 
afffJCted. I think I should fight, if a house-breaker, hav^ 



112 LETTERS TO [No, 

ing taken my property, should assault me, or my wife or 
children ; notwithstanding my love of peace. I cannot 
see any force in the reasonings of those who would con- 
demn war in all possible cases ; and I believe some of them 
would fight by instinct, as it were, in some circumstances : 
but, in all cases, I conceive war to be a great evil, a dread- 
ful calamity to some, and a dreadful crime in others. I am 
not disposed to inquire into the source of our present ca- 
lamities, except as they originate in the Lord's anger 
against our sins : but I apprehend they were, and I am 
sure they now are, unavoidable by human prudence. Un- 
der God, I look upon unity of efibrt, and firmness in self- 
defence, to be our only possible preservative ; and I should 
be sorry to do any thing to prevent, in any measure, that 
unity : yet I am decidedly of opinion, that he who labors 
sucessfully to bring men to a sense of their duty, and to re- 
pent and turn to God, does more towards our national 
preservation, than the most valiant soldier or officer, or 
the most vigilant magistrate, or the most sagacious sena- 
tor. I should be sorry to see you exposed either to the 
danger of actual service, or to that of such company and 
scenes as connect with military affairs : and still more to 
see you inclined to such a life. But I seem to be confident 
that the latter will not be the case, and to have consider- 
able prevalence of hope that the former will not. There 
is nothing unlawful, that I know of, in learning to handle 
a musket ; yet I should think it in general inexpedient in 
your situation, and with the prospects before you : but ne- 
cessity has no law. If so many declined, as to keep you 
in countenance in declining, I should by all means prefer it ; 
if it would be deemed a whimsical or disaffected singularity, 
you had perhaps better bear the cross for a while. .....I 

have a hope, that, though the Lord humble us, and impov- 
erish us, as a nation, he will not give us up to our ene- 
mies : and some things I hear, from time to time, of a more 
religious turn in persons quite out of our line, cherish this 
expectation. However I would not have you, or any one 
educating for the ministry, to set your heart on the emolu- 
ments and distinctions of the profession, which are at pre- 
sent peculiarly precarious. At all events, the work of the 
minister will, in some way, be needful, useful, and honor- 
able : and, if convulsions should take place, the truth will 
pot be kept down long ; the ivitntsscs will soon rise, and 



VIII.J THii EDITOR. 113 

ascend ; and happy will they be who are numhered with 
them. 

^' I cannot answer Mr. 's question" — relative to 

clergymen without cure of souls being trained to the use 
of arms : " for general rules are not absolute universals. 
I do not read in the New Testament of ministers with- 
out cure of souls, in one form or other : they are a non- 
descript, concerning whom no rules seem given ; a kind of 
amphibious being, belonging to neither element exclusive- 
ly. But, if the apostles would not leave the word of God 
to serve tables, I am persuaded they would not have left 
it to become soldiers : and, even if the war had been pro 
arisy they would have said. We tvill give ourselves to the 
word of God and prayer. Yet, possibly, exceptions might 
be made. One thing however I will add, I will never 
fight myself if I can possibly help it. — So much after dinner 
on a Tuesday" — that is, before visiting the hospital. 

With this may be connected a portion of another letter 
written in 1803. 

" Aston, July 81, 1803. 

" My opinion of the present crisi§ is, that it may be 
illustrated by the case of an avowed intention of a set of 
vile banditti, to rob the house and murder the family of 
some opulent individual. What should we in this case 
think of the master, who should leave the women and 
children defenceless to screen themselves, probably in 
vain ? What should we say of servants, who should urge, 
Let my master and mistress take care of themselves, it is 
not my concern ? What if they should plead conscience for 
such dereliction ? Self-defence would be my duty, if as- 
saulted on the high road, and my life endangered ; and de- 
fence of my wife and children, who look to me for pro- 
tection, requires me to stand firm, if an assassin threatens 
the house. 

" The present law, recognizing the king's just preroga- 
tive of calling out every effective man, in case of actual 
invasion and real necessity, meets my most cordial appro- 
bation ; and, as modified by the proposal to accept volun- 
tary enrolling, &;c., is no more than an offer to teach every 
man, in case of necessity, the best way of uniting with oth- 
ers in defending the community in each district : and I 
think every man who has no just exemption, or more 
important employment, ought to concur ; not so much to 

10* 



114 LETTERS TO [iSfa. 

become a soldier and to fight, as to prevent the necessity. 
For, should ten well armed men be habitually ready in 
the house, which three or four banditti meant to assail, 
and were this known, it would probably prevent the 
attack. 

" But the sabbath ! — Now here I say, it is not to be ex- 
pected that our rulers en masse^ or en pluralite^ should be 
godly men, and see with our eyes ; nor must we suffer all 
that are dear to us to be destroyed because they are not. 
They have exceeded my expectation, in granting relief to 
tender consciences, by excusing them on moderate terms, 

from being exercised on the Sunday I exhort those, 

whom I can influence, to shew a readiness to learn the 
exercise with others ; but unless in case of imperious over- 
powering necessity, which supersedes every thing, to re- 
fuse exercising on the Lord's day ; and to shew that a man 
may learn to unite in defending our families, without enter- 
ing into a military spirit, or at least into the profane and 
riotous part of it. I should have been embarrassed, had 
not the concession alluded to been made : but, though I 
highly regard Mr. Robinson's judgment, and account him a 
higher government man than myself, I think the present 
case is not one in which the protest should be entered 
against the measures of our rulers. Another time or man- 
ner may be taken of protesting against legalized infringe- 
ments of the sabbath. If the house were on fire, we should 
any of us think ourselves authorized to play the engine on 
the sabbath. The case does not exactly coincide : but 
even some of our friends will hardly see the difference, and 
our enemies will be sure not to see it. The clamor is, that 
dissenters, methodists, and evangelical churchmen are all 
secretly Jacobins: every opposition to the present measure 
will render the clamar more plausible. Even quietly 
availing ourselves of the allowed exemption will be no- 
ticed : and I think nothing further should be added to it. 
But, if any man's conscience is otherwise set, I must leave 



The following extract will shew hi$ sentiments an some 
important points relating to Christian missions generally, 
and on the proceedings of a society for which, though he 
declined connecting himself with it, and could not approve 
all its measures, he yet felt at all times the most cordial 



Vin.] THE EDITOR. 115 

good will, and a few years afterwards publicly testified his 
good will by preaching for it* I presume the sentiments 
here expressed pretty nearly coincide with those now enter- 
tained by many of its firmest supporters : and the publica- 
tion of them cannot, I trust, be considered as bearing in any 
degree an unfriendly aspect towards the society. It refers 
to the capture of the missionary ship, the Duff; the expul- 
sion of many of the missionaries from what has since been 
the scene of their most extraordinary success, the Islands 
of Otaheite ; and the spoliation of such as were suffered to 
remain* 

" Chapel Street, September 28, 1799, 

^^I do not think any of the things which have happened 
to the London Missionary Society will eventually injure 
the cause of missions. I really foretold^ at least foreboded, 
and privately uttered my forbodings, that such would be 
the event of their over-sanguine and hasty, though well- 
meant proceedings. The apostles had no missionary ship, 
worth so many thousands as to tempt depredators. Armed 
and rich missionaries, as those at Otaheite were, might 
expect to be plundered and overpowered, as much as a 
man in London, unprotected by law, who was loaded with 
gold and jewels. It must be so without miracles. I said 
they were too rich to be safe, or to have any prospect of 
safety ; and their fire-arms and military exercise were like 
a declaration of war. The seven that are left behind are 
exactly in the condition I should have wished them to have 
been in at first landing ; nothing to trust to for protection 
and provision but the Lord, and under him the favor he 
may give them with the people. But of almost all places 
these islands are the last I should have selected. — You 
may depend upon it that our new societyt is not needlessly 
losing time. We cast anchor for a while, to avoid running 
on rocks ; but we mean soon to go on : and we would wish 
not to make more haste than good speed. We mean to 
begin on a small scale, and afterwards to enlarge it if we 
can ; and we have no fear of not getting money, if the 
Lord will but form us missionaries. One thing we have 
done : as soon as we heard that the Duff was taken, we, as 
individuals of the Committee, sent the Missionary Society 

* Life, p. 254 t The Church Missionary Society. 



il6 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. [No. 

a hundred guineas, as a token of regard and condolence ; 
which has tended greatly to conciliate them^ and to con- 
vince them that we are coadjutors and not rivals. The 
■ world is under obligations to that society ; but their love 
and zeal have not been directed by proportionable wis- 
dom. They will profit by their losses, and we shall profit 
by their mistakes ; and I doubt not that the whole will tend 
to the furtherance of the gospel. Money will be soon found 
to make up those loses ; and wisdom gained by experience 
is of inestimable value.'^ 

Of the contribution towards reparing the Society's loss, 
I shall beg leave to subjoin a somewhat fuller account, 
from a memorandum made by a friend shortly after it took 
place. 

'- When the London Missionary Society lost the ship 
Duff, though he had never approved of their having such 
a vessel, yet, filled with Christian sympathy, and struck 
with the opportunity of testifying good will to a society 
with which he and his brethren declined to act, he put off* 
an intended journey to Margate, aiid, calling together the 
committee of the Church Missionary Society, (of which hq 
was secretary,) he proposed a subscription from their pri- 
vate purses towards alleviating the loss which the other 
society had sustained. Here again he was supported by 
Mr. Venn. The members present subscribed fifty guineas ; 
and, calculating on the concurrence of their absent asso- 
ciates, they ventured to send that night a donation of one 
hundred guineas, to which about thirty more were after- 
wards added. The effect was striking in promoting con- 
ciliation and good will, and convincing all concerned that ► 
they were brethren engaged in the same great object though 
pursuing it each in his own liH©.'' 



'Hi 



No, IX. 

.ETTERS TO A FRIEND IN SCOTLAND. 
1794_18n. 



This correspondent, in communicating my father's let- 
ters to me, says : ''1 set a high value upon them : they 
were to me very seasonable and very useful ; and, I may 
add, were of use to many of my friends here, who gener- 
ally saw my correspondence. I trust I shall always retain 
a grateful sense of the Lord's kindness towards me in 
bringing me to an acquaintance with his writings, and to 

the enjoyment of his correspondence That I derived 

no more benefit from his writings and correspondence is 
my sin, and what I desire to be humbled for daily before 
God ; but I would acknowledge, to the praise of His name, 
that any just, scriptural, and judicious views which I have 
of divine truth, both in matters of faith and practice, I 
owe, under God, to your father ; and particularly in those 
things which may, in a certain sense, be called his pecu- 
liar sentiments — such as relate to man's responsibility, the 
holy nature and tendency of faith, and the spiritual exer- 
cise of genuine godliness. From him I was led to an ac- 
quaintance with Fuller's and Ryland's writings, and some 
of the Americans, particularly Edwards and Bellamy; all 
of whom in a great measure, have been taught in the 
same school. And, the more I read in his Life, and such 
of his letters as you have already published, the more the 
Ijeauty and excellence of these sentiments appear. The 
letters I now send you confirm the same views. In fact 
he was invariably one and the same : in his Commentary, 
his other works, his correspondence, and at his own fire- 
side, the same correct uniform sentiments prevail ; univer- 
sal holiness of heart and life, arisuig from a living faith iu 



118 LETTERS TO [No. 

the doctrines of free grace, received by divine teaching. 
You will perceive many things about our transactions in 

books that will have to be left out We did a good deal 

of business together in the way of selling his various pub- 
lications : and I reckon it one of the happiest circum- 
stances of my life, that I was the means of first introducing 
his works, in any general way, among the middling and 
lower classes of people in this north country. His great 
disinterestedness you will perceive very prominent in all he 
WTote to me on matters of business. — Our correspondence 
gradually dropped away about the years 1811, 1812, which 
I exceedingly regret. It arose chiefly from his declining 
years and numerous engagements preventing his corres- 
ponding so fully on general subjects : and also from my 
being able to do much less in the way of disposing of his 
works — the booksellers finding it their interest to keep 
them on hand as they came into notice.'^ 

ON THE DIVINE DECREES. 

" Chapel Street, December 24th, 1794. 
*^ SIR, 

'^ I MIGHT be surprised, but could not perceive the least 
cause of being offended, by your very frank and respectful 
address, which surely was more suited to please than to 
displease any man of tolerable candor. I desire to be 
thankful if any human being derive advantage from what 
the Lord enables me to attempt ; and, as far as my many 
engagements will allow of it, I would be willing to take 
up the stumbling blocks out of the way of Zion's travel- 
lers,* by private and particular counsel, as well as by more 
public and general instructions. 

'^ In respect of the deep points on which you desire my 
opinion, I shall be glad to give you any satisfaction : but a 
thinking mind will always be impeded by difficulties about 
them, till increasing acquaintance with the human heart, 
and the state of the world, gradually dissipate the dark- 
ness : and I should judge from the style of your letter, that 
you are seeking in the right way to him who makes dark 
things light, and crooked things straight, before his people, 
I have long been very decided in ray judgment in respect 
of the truth and reasonableness of these doctrines, which 

^ Isa. hii, U, 



IX.] A FRIEND IN SCOTLAND. 119 

I once quarrelled with even to blasphemy ; yet I hold them 
in such a^way, and assign them in so moderate a propor- 
tion to other parts of revelation, that the vehement Cal- 
vinists own me not as staunch to their party ; but, though 
I am by no means disposed to consider the belief of them 
as essential to salvation, I find myself not more approved 
by the zealous Armenians : for I always insist upon it, that, 
if men cannot receive them, they ought not to venture a 
single word, which, in case they should be true, would 
prove to be derogatory to the honour of the divine charac- 
ter and government. 

^' I consider the doctrine of the divine decrees as insepa- 
rable from that of the prescience or omniscience of God ; 
and I cannot conceive it possible for any man to answer 
the reasoning of a competent logician in proof of this phi- 
losophical position. Mr. Locke, though no friend to Cal- 
vinism, has made extraordinary concessions in this respect. 
Bur then, I do not think myself allowed to mix the philos- 
ophy of the doctrine with the divinity of it ; but bound to 
confine myself, as a preacher, to the word of God, with- 
out tracing revealed truths to unrevealed causes and con- 
sequences ; by which some reasoning Calvinists have clog- 
ged the doctrine with difficulties, and exposed it to objec- 
tions, which have nothing to do with the scriptural 
statement of it. — The sovereignty of God is, I apprehend, 
a very different thing from arbitrary power: it is the 
sovereignty of infinite wisdom, knowledge, justice, truth, 
goodness, and mercy ; and, therefore, nothing can be de- 
creed by it, which is not the best possible, all things con- 
sidered. — Now if the best plan possible be selected and 
executed, what does it signify whether it was formed, in 
every part from eternity, or whether it was formed at the 
moment, as circumstances required ? — God does nothing 
without the best possible reasons, but he does not gratify 
the pride and curiosity of fallen rebels, by assigning his 
reasons to them. He doubtless has reasons for choosing a 
sinner to salvation : but the sinner's merit, or inferior de- 
gree of criminality, or more docile disposition, or natural 
voluntary concurrence with his grace, is not of the number 
of these reasons : but the desert of those that perish is the 
assigned and proper reason why he punishes them. 

" The decrees of God respecting man do not relate to 
him merely as a rational creature^ but as a fallen rebel, 
God sees the whole human race in the ruins of the fall ; 



120 LETTERS TO fNo» 

and, while he judges, with infallible truth, that they all 
deserve to perish, and must perish unless infinite wisdom 
devise a plan, infinite love provide a remedy, and infinite 
power apply it ; he determines, fi^r reasons best known to 
himself, to glorify his awful justice in punishing some ac- 
cording to their deservings, and to glorify his most abun- 
dant mercy and grace in saving others, in a way that shews 
them to be deserving of the same condemnation. The 
indissoluble knot in this business is the first entrance of 
evil into God's creation : this he could have prevented, but 
has not ; nor could his almighty intervention have consist- 
ed with his moral government ; as an invincible barrier to 
all disobedience must have made all laws, &c. useless, and 
all displays of his moral perfections comparatively feeble 
and indistinct. But ' silence becomes ignorance :' and fur- 
ther I dare not speculate. He does all to the praise of his 
own glory : and, at last, that will be most displayed by the 
plan he has adopted. However, the difficulty is the same 
on every system ; for evil does exist. 

'' It is plain, from the fulfilment of many prophecies, by 
the voluntary actions of numerous agents combined against 
God and his cause ; that his decrees are in no respect 
either the motive of men's actions, or inconsistent with 
their free agency. But, by a wisdom to us incomprehen- 
sible, he leaves men to follow their own inclinations, and 
places them in such circumstances as infallibly secure the 
accomplishment of his secret purposes. The whole world 
lietli in wickedness ; and you justly observe that the apostle 
ascribes this to their evil dispositions: idolatry arose from 
men's Jiot liking to retain God in their kiioidedge. Ever 
since the fall, men have been carnal, as horn of the flesh : 
and the carnal mind is enmity against God. This enmity 
induces every man, as left to himself, and as tempted 
by Satan, to break and hate the law of God : and, even 
after all that Christ has done and suffered for sinners, if 
men were left to themselves, they would universally hate 
and reject the gospel, because it honors the law, and is 
diametrically opposite to their pride and lusts. Ye must, 
then, he horn again. Now this is a resurrection from a spi- 
ritual death, a new creation, an act of omnipotence. No 
sinner can merit it ; none is disposed to claim it ; none can 
do, or will attempt, any thing to effect it : but God, as a 
sovereign, has mercy on whom he will have mercy, and leaves 
whom he will of his proud enemies to be hardened. Of 



IX.] A FRIEN0 IN SCOTLAND. 121 

his great love wherewith he loved us when dead in sin^ im 
quickened us ; and made us willing in the day of his power. 
Thisj I apprehend, is the only reason, why one sinner re- 
pents, believes, fears, prays, hopes, loves, and obeys, 
while another continues obstinate in impenitence, unbelief, 
and disobedience. So that none are rejected because not 
elect, without respect to the sin of their conduct, and the 
determined sinfulness of their hearts ; and the promises are 
all made to such holy dispositions as are the fruits of spe- 
cial grace, the effects of regeneration. — This, therefore, 
is perfectly consistent with commands, exhortations, invi- 
tations, and expostulations. If any man find a willingness 
to comply with the exhortation, and embrace the invita- 
tion of the gospel ; let him come and take of the water of 
life freely : for Christ will in no wise cast out him that 
cometh, — Nor is it requisite that he should determine the 
nature and source of this willingness, before he comes ; 
though he will in due time be led to ascribe it to special 
grace, if indeed it be a willingness to be saved, in the Lord^s 
way, from sin and all its consequences, to use the prescrib- 
ed means, and to renounce all things for the sake of Christ. 
But, if any man be not thus willing, whatever he may pre- 
tend now, he will at length find that his unwillingness arose 
from enmity to God and holiness, from pride of heart, and 
love of sin ; and that God only purposed to leave a per- 
verse rebel to his own mad choice, without exerting his 
omnipotence to conquer his obstinacy. So that nothing 
can be more false, than the representation some give of the 
doctrine,— as if God determined to save some men, howev- 
er wicked and slothful they were ; and to damn others, 
however desirous of salvation, and diligent in seeking it: 
though some zealous Calvinists have said unguarded things, 
which give plausibility to such cavils, 

" No man can know his election, except by the evi- 
dence of regeneration, especially repentance and its fruits, 
and faith in Christ working by love to him, his people, 
and his commands. In proportion as these are clear, he 
may infer his election of God, and conclude that he will 
perfect the good work he hath begun : but, if these be ob- 
scure. It is proportionably presumptuous for men to con- 
clude themselves elect, or to encourage themselves with 
the doctrine of final perseverence. — Hence you will per- 
ceive, that many objections to the doctrines, and abuses of 
them, are the effects of human depravity, and have no 

II 



122 LETTERS TO [No, 

real relation to the truths themselves. JNIany deem them- 
selves elect because they believe election and dispute for 
it ; }'et their boastings, railings, evil tempers, and worldly 
lives are black marks of reprobation ; that is, that at pre- 
sent they are disapproved characters. But no man can 
know that he is not elect ; for, whatever his past or pre- 
sent conduct may be, he may yet be converted : and eve- 
ry serious conviction, and desire after salvation, is a hopeful 
token ; and a willing mind (as above described,) is a certain 
proof of election. — The distress of numbers on this ground 
is wholly the efl'ect of misapprehension and temptation. 

" Election with the doctrines connected with it, when 
truly believed, must produce humiliation before God ; gra- 
titude to him for every hopeful token of being made to 
differ ; a disposition to give him all the glory, and devote 
ourselves to him ; meekness, long-suffering, tender compas- 
sion for sinners ; hope of their salvation by the same grace 
that saves us ; diligence in using means for that end,- — as 
God works by means ; and in short, every holy temper. 
It gives encouragement to wrestle, run, and labor, by the 
assui-ance that no temptation shall at last deprive us of the 
blessing : but no encouragement to be slothful, or to in- 
dulge in sin ; because that must make our election doubt- 
ful. — Finally, many are elect and called, and manifest the 
humility and holy tendency of the doctrine, and its effects 
upon their hearts, who dissent from the notions they have 
formed of it in their heads. 

'^ If these general thoughts be of any use to you, or by 
you to any other, I shall deem it a privilege ; and shall be 
glad to answer any question you may further propose. In 
general, ascribe the glory of all the good to God, and the 
blame of all bad to man, and you cannot be far wrong. 
Desiring an interest in your prayers, and to be remember- 
ed with love to all my unknown brethren with you, 
" I remain,. 

" Your friend and servant in Christ, 

'- Tkos. Scott. '^ 

Chapel Street, September 18, 1795. 

" Dear sir, 

" My state of health, which is generally bad at this 

time of the year, joined to various other circumstances, 
seems to incapacitate me for writing much, or much to the 
purpose, at present. — In respect to the external forms, 
and other such distinctions among persons who appear, as 



IX.] A FRIEND IN SCOTLAND. 123 

humble penitents, to rely on the merits and atonement of 
the divine Savioufj and to desire to live according to his 
will, and to his glory, I pay but little regard to them. I 
believe there are many things unscriptural among us all ; 
that is either defective, redundant, or erroneous : but hu- 
man nature is very fallible ; ten thousand circumstances 
produce prejudices, which warp the judgment; and the 
Lord seems to illuminate his people but in part. There 
must therefore be differences of opinion ; these our corrupt 
passions will magnify into matters of importance, and urge 
us tenaciously and vehemently to contend about them : the 
enemy will stir up these passions, to disgrace and weaken 
the common cause, and to take men off from such endea- 
vors as tend to subvert his kingdom; and by his influence, 
together with the deceitfulness of our hearts we are 
readily persuaded to think we are zealous for the Lord 
God of hosts, and doing him service, while w^e are thus 
gratifying our pride or malignity. — -I do not consider these 
things (in which we differ) as immaterial ; for there is right 
and wrong, truth and falsehood in every thing ; and they 
have always some effect on the heart and conduct : but, 
when we are satisfied in our minds, as far as circumstances 
will admit, that we are in the place, and worshipping after 
the manner, that it is the will of God we should, we are 
not vainly to imagine that we can do much more ; or th^ 
we can remove rocks and mountains ; — for it would be no 
less a work if we could bring the state of the church, 
even in our own neighborhood, from what ages have con- 
firmed, to v/hat we think right : and, at last, we are as 
liable to ha prejudiced and to mistake as other men. I 
have not met with any society or denomination of Chris- 
tians, with whom I should agree in every thing : but, all 
things considered, I have deemed it my duty to abide where 
the Lord first found me, in that respect. I never could 
find liberty to join any other body : and I felt no tempta- 
tion to attempt another division of the church. I am not 
called upon to do any thing contrary to my conscience : 
and, if I were, the path is plain — give up the advantage, 
and bear the loss or cross; then conscience may be fol- 
lowed. Nor do I deem myself answerable for the sins of 
others belonging to the same corps,— \i the different sects 
of Christians, among whom the truths of the gospel are 
maintained, would but consider themselves as difl'erent 
yegiments in tlie same army ; and stand up, as it were, for 



124 LETTERS TO [No. 

the honour of their particular regiment, (only) by endea- 
voring to outdo others in promoting the spread of true 
religion ; and thus fighting against the common enemy : 
the divisions might be overruled for good. But, alas ! too 
many say, IVe saw one casting out devils in thy name^ and 
2D e forbad him, because he follow eth not icith us ; and, while 
they frown upon, instead of forwarding, and praying for 
success to, every endeavor to disseminate truth in a dark 
world ; they prejudice and harden the minds of worldly 
people by their eager, not to say fierce, contests with each 
other ; and, having thus caused their zeal to evaporate, they 
remain indifferent and lukewarm about the common cause. 
— But there are some symptoms of a better spirit in this 
country ; and that, connected with steadiness in the princi- 
ples held. The Antipedobaptist missions are supported 
liberally by many Pedobaptist, both dissenters and church- 
men : and other plans of a similar nature are set on foot. 
As far as we can we should assist all such undertakings, if 
they seem to originate froni good motives, and to be con- 
ducted in the fear of God : and we should pray for success 
to them all, if we can do nothing more. The world is 
wide : perhaps not one fourth of mankind profess Chris- 
tianity ; and, alas ! perhaps not one in a hundred of those 
called Christian are really such. Let us enlarge our views, 
desires, and prayers beyond the limits of a sect or party ; 
according to the extensive meaning of the first clauses of 
the Lord's prayer. 

" I have let my pen run on upon this subject, so that I 
have no room for another. But the deceiving of souls may 
be compared to the picking of pockets. He who is much 
afraid of having his pockets picked will generally take such 
precautions as will prevent it : so will he who is much 
afraid of being deceived ; especially the means used by 
David, Psalm cxxxix, 23, 24. 

'- 1 remain, with best wishes, and prayers, your sincerely 
affectionate friend and servant, 

*'^ Thomas Scott." 

'' Chapel Street, March 17, 1796. 
'' DEAR SIR, 

" I have been so peculiarly engaged in writing for 

the volume of sermons which I am printing, that I have 
been almost constrained to put off my correspondents, in 
order that I might not hinder the printer. L^pon the 
whole my health is bettei* than wben I wrote last : but I am 



iX.] A FRIEND IN SCOTLAND. 125 

not generally very well ; and I find that too close applica« 
tion to writing hurts me more than any other exertion. I 
have however as good healthy taking one time with another, 
as 1 have had for many years ; and as good as I ought to 
have — far better than I have any right to. I know also 
that I shall live as long as the Lord has any work for me 
to do : and I need not desire to live loirger. 

" ......... If any of your friends should wish to have the 

Bible, I would rather favour them, by foregoing my usual 
profit : that is, if their circumstances require it : for some- 
body must maintain authors, as well as printers. You must 
not speak of this therefore to wealthy persons. 

" I am afraid that, having no peculiar subject on which to 
write, my letter will be far too dear of postage : yet silence 
would not so emphatically express a desire of hearing 
concerning your welfare, and of dropping any hints that I 
can of an useful nature. With much difficulty I have got 
a little before the printer, and am otving if not payings 
my debts to my correspondents ; and I am not satisfied to 
leave you out: for, if I say little at present, your answer 
may make way for something rather more to the purpos^e 
another time. 

" Your account of the state of religion in Scotland, 
though rather discouraging, gives me the idea that far 
more regard has been, and even still is, there paid to the 
gospel than in England. Some years ago it might al- 
most be said that the whole was here sunk into formality 

and self-righteousness The irregular and desultory, 

yet zealous and honest labours of Mr. Whitefield and his 
coadjutors produced great effects ; and since he went forth 
there has been a great revival in the established church. 
Nor v/ere the labours of Mr. Wesley and his helpers 
without much fruit. Yet a great deduction must be made. 
A flashy, superficial, and immethodical style of preaching 
was rendered fashionable : gradually a view of the gospel 
rather tending to antinomianism was introduced by the suc- 
cessors of the ministers that have been mentioned — that is, 
of Mr, Whitefield and Co. An experience which admits of 
a great mixture of enthusiasm, and opens the door to de» 
lusion, was sanctioned: a bad taste, so to speak, was pro- 
pagated: and the eminence of the men who set the ex- 
ample gave currency to these things ; which became far 
worse in the hands of men in all respects their inferiors. 
In the church of England, among those who aie reputed 

11* 



126 LETTERS TO [No, 

to preach the gospel, many do comparatively little , 

There are, however, a considerable number of able, solidj 
and zealous men; and the expensive encouragement given 
by some superior people to the education of pious young 
men, of good abilities, for the ministry, presents the most 
pleasant prospect that the state of things aftords. But, 
alas ! our superiors in the church either oppose the most 
imexceptionable men who preach according to the articles 

and liturg}^, or are afraid to countenance them Among 

the numerous bodies of the Calvinistic and arminian Me- 
thodists, a considerable degree of fervour and earnestness 
•is discoverable ; and I trust there are many well-mean- 
ing people : but their religion is superficial ; and they are 
easily deluded into pernicious errors, or unbecoming 
practices, for want of more complete and clear acquaint- 
ance with the system of truth, and -the rule of duty. 
Though the two sects seem totally to differ, yet the same 
defect is visible in both ; only the Arminians are more en- 
thusiastic and joyful, the Calvinists more acquainted with 
their own hearts, and employed in escaping dejection by 
a low experience. But, in fact, superficial views of our 
obligations to holiness, according to the spiritual hw of 
God, and ^n unperceived tendency to antinomianism, are 
too common in both — though the Arminians are thought to 
be in the opposite extreme. The dissenters, both Baptists 
and Pedobaptists, are of various kinds. Some are of the 
methodical cast, and have much life, and not propor- - 
tionable judgment and depth : others are solid Calvinstic 
divines, but rather cramped by system and church order ; 
and, with a few exceptions, useful only on a small scale. 
Others are dry systematics, with little life or unction : 
and, alas ! no small number are avowed Arians and Soci- 
cians. A political spirit at present does considerable harm 
to the cause of vital godliness, and widens our divisions on 
religious points ; an evil which the enemy promotes. In 
London and some other principal cities and towns, people 
have abundance of religious advantages; though I fear they 
do not proportionably improve them ; but in many parts of 
the country gross darkness prevails in an awful degree. 

<^ If this rude sketch of things, as they appear to me, stir- 
up you and your friends to pray the Lord of the harvest to 
send forth labourers^ I have my reward. 

^' I find I have not mentioned the Presbyterians ; about 
whom a native of NorUi Britain may feel particularly ia- 



IX.] A FRIEND IN SCOTLAND. 127 

terested : But I dare say you know more of them (even as 
they exist among us) than I do, as a body of men. All I 
know rank with the best sort of dissenters. With best 
wishes, '^ Yours sincerely, 

'^ Thomas Scott.'^ 

In reading this letter, it will be borne in mind that it wa» 
written nearly thirty years ago. The writer would, no 
doubt, have joyfully and thankfully acknowledged, that, in 
the period which has since elapsed, a great improvement 
has taken place in almost all the bodies of professed 
Christians whom he mentions. — Had he himself revised his 
letter for the press, he would also certainly have notic^ 
the existence of many excellent individuals, as well as of a 
large body of " well-meaning" people among the different 
classes of " Methodists.'^ — The " Presbyterians" will of 
course, not be confounded with the Unitarians, who often 
attempt to usurp that name. — By the ^^ low experience,^^ 
spoken of, must be understood one in which, though it is 
hoped that the existence of Christian graces may be traced, 
yet they are acknowledged to be almost out of exercise. 

" Chape] Street, July 2, 1796. 
" DEAR SIR, 

" DO not think it possible for me to write more thar> 
a few lines with the parcel which you ordered, as I go 
out of town on Monday, and am liable now to be every 

moment interrupted 

'^ It certainly gives me heartfelt satisfaction to learn that 
the Lord, in any way, makes use of my poor labours to pro- 
mote his cause, in the least degree : but, though I some- 
times want, and always like, these cordials, yet medicines 
of a rougher species are more generally suited to my case, 
as pride and vain glory are predominant rank weeds, 
which my heart brings forth abundantly. I am, however, 
very sensible that humiliating dispensations often tend to 
dejection, and then tlic hands hang down, and the knees ivaz 
feeble ; till some word spoken in season gives encourage- 
ment, and animates to diligence. — upon the whole, I do not 
mean to neglect my health, and, I hope, I do not : but I be- 
lieve no man does exactly enough, and not too much. We 
all, or most of us, err on both sides frequently. Whether 
my life be of any peculiar use or not, it is my duty to uso 
proper means of preserving it ; and that sense of duty will 



128 LETTERS TO [Ng. 

suffice to influence me to act according to my conviction of 
what is right. 

" I very much rejoice in the earnestness shewn by persons 
of different descriptions to send the gospel among the poor 
benighted pagans ; and I hope the Lord is about to answer 
the prayers which I, as well as many others, have been 
making to him for years. My situation, however, as a 
minister of the establishment prevents me, by considera- 
tions of expediency, from fully uniting with a society* 
which is looked upon with jealousy by our staunch church- 
men, especially our rulers. At the same time I feel it in- 
cumbent on me to be cautious how I commit myself in a 
business which is under the management of persons vary- 
ing in their views, and in their measure of respectability. 
Hence I am constrained to be considerably a stranger to 
the persons selected for missionaries, and to the interior of 
the management ; though I am privately a steady advocate 
for the institution, and contribute my might to the cause. 
In my situation, I cannot make any public collections, or 
take any other ostensible measures : but my few steady 
friends liberally support them. I have no doubt that the 
Lord will eventually bring good out of the design ; but 
probably he may seem first to frown upon it ; for it appears 
to me that many are too sanguine, do not sufficiently count 
their cost, have not wisdom equal to their zeal, and lean 
more to favourable providential appearances, and second 
causes, than to the omnipotent operations of the Holy 
Spirit. They do not seem sufficiently aware that neither 
Satan, nor the carnal heart, will suffer the kingdom of dark- 
ness to be subverted or assailed without the most deter- 
mined and tremendous opposition ; that it is one thing to 
teach natural men natural knowledge, and another to ex- 
pose their vices and superstitions, and attack their con- 
sciences ; that the missionaries themselves are men of like 
passions with others, and the intended post peculiarly dan- 
gerous, &c. In short, I admire the zeal and uprightness of 
many concerned, and am persuaded God will eventually 
bless them r but I have my doubts about many of their 
measures : and have an idea that disappointments and delays 
will be employed to teach the parties concerned, patience^ 
meekness, humility, prudence, and simplicity; and that, 
when some begin to think the cause is about to miscarry, 

* It can hj^rdly be necessary to observe that the London Missionary So- 
ciety, instituted in the preceding year, is inteaded.— See above, p. 115, 116; 



IX.] A FRIEND IN SCOTLAND. 129 

a greater, and more entire, and more explicit reliance on 
the Holy Spirit, and a more self -annihilating reference of 
the matter to God, will make way for the desired success. 
No doubt the leading persons rather differ in character ; 
and perhaps the most spiritual and most wise have not the 
greatest influence : but I trust all this will be working itself 
clear ; and the Lord will shew that it is his wol-k, that he 
will employ his own instruments, and that it shall be effect- 
ed not hy mighty nor by power y hut by his own Spirit, — I 
should think that the several societies in Scotland might so 
far concur with this in London, as to be mutually helpful : 
but probably it will be best not to incorporate themselves 
with it 

" The cause of the gospel seems to gain ground in Eng- 
land : but, alas ! infidelity, on the one hand, and a bad mix- 
ture of antinomianism, on the other^ excite many alarms in 
some of us for the rising generation. 

'' I have need to apologize for writing so hastily and in- 
accurately on such important subjects : but I am much strait- 
ened for time, and have only given my rough thoughts upon 
them, which you will read with grains of allowance. — With 
best wishes and prayers for your increasing comfort and 
progress in the divine life, I remain, dear Sir, 
" Your sincere friend and servant, 

" Thomas Scott." 

" Chapel Street, November 25, 1796. 
*' DEAR SIR, 

" I APPREHEND that the energy of evangelical prin- 
ciples in producing holiness, both of heart and life, is the 
grand thing to be insisted on by the true friends of the 
gospel, at all times, but especially in such a day as the 
present. Nothing can convince more sober people that 
our doctrines are worth contending for, unless we can 
shew them their inseparable connexion with real good 
works : nothing can stop the mouths of reviling eaemies 
and scoffers, but the unanswerably silencing language of 
the holy lives uniformly led by those who profess the doc- 
trines of grace. Within the professing church numbers 
are deceived by a form of knowledge, and by an unholy 
confidence and selfish joy, for want of attending duly to this 
subject ; others are kept low, and continue comparatively 
unfruitful, because they are not suitably impressed with 
its importance : and, without^ multitudes have their preju- 
dices riveted, inquirers are ^tumbled, and dcspisers are 



130 lETTERS TO fNo. 

emboldened, by what they witness among professors : 
which confirms their notion that the doctrines of grace 
tend to laxity of morals, and consequently are useless or 
pernicious. — What do yc more than others ? our Lord says 
to his disciples and to each of us. With our principles, 
hopes, privileges, obligations, example, and assistances, 
we certainly shall, if we act consistently, do more than 
others : and whatever tends to promote the peace and 
purity of the church, or the stability, fruitfulness, and 
comfort of believers, as effectually tends to spread the 
gospel, as preaching to careless sinners, or sending mis- 
sionaries into distant regions. These ought we to do, and 
not to leave the other undone, I never yet saw a few con- 
sistent, peaceable, exemplary believers in any place, but 
they won over, in time, some of their neighbors and rela- 
tions, and rendered the gospel respected even by those 
without : but I have repeatedly seen a company of high 
professors zealous for doctrines, and loud in disputes, but 
lax in their practice, who have set numbers against the 
gospel, and made it despised and hated, more than usual, 
by all around them. In this day of infidelity, in which 
Satan is inspiring his servants to uncommon exertions 
against the whole fabric of Christianity, books and ser- 
mons will do little, unless we can oppose to hi3 progress, 
not only theoretical discourses on the tendency of the gos- 
pel, but also appeals to facts concerning its efficacy in ren- 
dering men holy in all manner of conversation. Our chil- 
dren, servants, or neighbors will be better preserved 
from infidelity, and more led to think of religion, by wit^ 
nessing and feeling that the gospel produces happy effects 
on us, especially in our conduct towards them, than by 
all we can say. Thus we make a lodgment in their con- 
sciences, which they cannot get rid of. If they see us 
happier and better than any other men, they cannot but feel 
the difference, even if they would willingly deny it : but, 
if they can fancy themselves about as good without the 
gospel as we are with it, nature will lead them to slight it 
without remorse. — Our conduct also must shew men what 
we mean by conversion, a new creation, being born of 
God, &c> We must embody such subjects, and be living 
examples and illustrations of them. We want more preacli- 
ers, and should pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth 
laborers into his harvest : but preachers and sermons of the 
cast just described are most important ; and puis all ought 



IX.] A FRIEND IN SCOTLAND, 131 

to preach daily. Christians of this kind will be the honor* 
ed instruments of reviving religion, and diffusing it into dis- 
tant lands, as well as of handing it down to posterity.* 

" But I hcive dwelt so long on this subject, that I havie 
not room to discuss that which you particularly mentioned. 
However, I do not feel myself much grieved on that ac- 
count ; as the cultivation of the Christian temper at large 
is the best preparative both for Christian conversation^ g,nd 
the improvement of every talent. A few words spoken 
by a man of eminent piety, integrity and benevolence, 
will go further than the most exquisite speech of a doubt- 
ful character. Even imperfections will be overlooked in 
the manner, when a man is credited for his sincerity and 
good will. A real desire to glorify God and edify man by 
our discourse, with daily meditation on the Scriptures, and 
prayers for heavenly wisdom, will generally lead a man to 
adopt such meihods as suit him : for no rules suit ail per- 
sons. Though levity should be excluded, yet I own I 
think cheerfulness and good will so essential, that I 
would rather see too much sprightliness than any appear- 
^ce of unsociableness and moroseness- — especially when 
theibrmer is known to be a man^s natural disposition : for 
then Ywhen it is altogether suppressed,) it is thought reli- 
gion has made him ill-tempered. — I think addresses to the 
heart and conscience go further than discussions of doc- 
trine ; that religious subjects should be introduced gently, 
not forcibly ; and that we should be careful not to get en- 
gaged in argument for which we are not competent. 
" I can only add that I remain 

" Your affectionate friend and servant, 

^^ Thomas Scott." 

" Chapel Street, January o, 1797. 
" DEAR SIR, 

" I REJOICE to hear of the success of the gospel in 

any place, and by any instruments ; but especially when 
ministers are raised up to preach it. May the Lord grant 
that your friend the clergyman, and you, and I may all 
meet in heaven ! and may numbers attend us, whom God 
hath made us the instruments of bringing along with us \ 
For not only ministers are thus instrumental to the salva- 
tion of others, but every consistent Cliristian, by his 
example, prayers, conversation, and efforts io various 

* Isa.lvii 1,8—14.. Ixi, 3, 4. 



132 LETTERS To [No. 

ways, shares the same honourable privilege : and, should 
but one soul be Won to Christ by the endeavors of a whole 
life, that one may be useful to others after our death, and 
the fruit may, and probably will, remain and increase on 
earth to the good of others, to the end of time ; while the 
gracious recompense is enjoyed by us in heaven. On the 
other hand, if we disgrace the gospel, or imbibe and pro- 
pagate pernicious principles, the fatal effects may remain, 
and be diffused further and wider, long after we leave the 
world. So important is the conduct of a professed disci- 
ple of Christ ! and such need have we to watch and pray ^ 
lest ice enter into temptation ! 

^^ Indeed, if the Lord should weigh our feeble attempts 
in the balance of his perfect law, the best of them must 
condemn us : and, if he made no use of any but Christians 
of great attainments, we might sit down in discourage- 
ment. But, where there is a willing mindy it is accepted ^ 
according to ivhat a man hath : and he blesses his own 
truth, not hecause we speak it, but notwithstanding that 
we speak it, because it is his own truth. He works by 
feeble instruments, and generally prefers such as man 
despises, that the excellency of the power may he of God^ 
and not of men. Much more then will he work by those 
who think meanly of their own attainments and services, 
rather than by those who are icise in their own eyes, and 
think highly of themselves. Even the Saviour was the 
stone which the builders rejected^ before he was made the 
head of the corner : he humbled himself even to the death 
of the crossj before, in our nature, he was exalted to the 
throne of glory. Even the manifest imperfections and 
failings of upright persons do not render them unmeet to 
be employed in doing good to others. We may pull a 
beam out of another's eye, though we have a mote in our 
own ; though a beam in our own eye will render us unfit 
to pull a mote out of our brother's eye. If we be evi- 
dently humbled when we have done wrong, and ready to 
acknowledge the offence we have been drawn into, those 
among whom we live will see the difference between us 
and such as do wrong, persist in it, and excuse it. It is 
so natural to us all to err, and so contrary to nature to own 
our faults, that I have known instances in which I have 
gained upon even those without y or at least, upon very 
doubtful characters, by acknowledging that I had been to 
blame in my conduct towards them. 



IX.] A FRIEND IN SCOTLAND. 1$3 

" As self-knowledge, arising from an increasing knowl- 
edge of Godj his spiritual law, and our obligations, and 
from diligent self-examination, must produce increasing hu- 
mility ; and as Satan will aim to graft a temptation to dis- 
couragement, in our attempts to do good, upon our hum- 
bling discoveries of our own sinfulness, the deceitfulness of 
our hearts, and the corrupt mixtures in our duties : these 
considerations seemed suited to counterbalance that effect. 
I have seen many, through a deep sense of their own sin- 
fulness, discouraged even from speaking, writing, or at- 
tempting any thing for the good of their nearest relations : 
nay, they have even thought it would be presumption in 
§uch unworthy creatures to pray for others : and I have, at 
times, felt somewhat of the same kind myself, and do still, 
on some occasions. I have known very good men afraid 
to exert themselves, not lest they should seem vain-glorious, 
but because they felt so strong a propensity to this and oth- 
er evils, mixing with their exertions. But, if we must not 
move till we can do it with perfect decorum, we must sit 
still till we die. AVe should therefore remember that we 
are under a covenant of grace. A merciM father will ac- 
cept, and even recompense, such services as a severe mas- 
ter would punish. But he that buries his talent is a loicked 
and slothful servant. We should study the duties of our 
several relations, the talents committed to our stewardship, 
and the dangers to which we are peculiarly exposed : and, 
in the spirit of faith and prayer, should be steadfast ^ un^ 
moveable^ always abounding in the work of the Lord, know- 
ing that our labor shall not be in vain in the Lord, — May 
we spend this year more profitably than any heretofore ! 
" Your giffectionate friend and servant, 

" Thomas Scott." 

« Chapel Street, May 19, 1797. 

In this letter the writer, in answer to inquiries made of 
him concerning his situation and circumstances, sketches 
his own history to the completion of his Commentary, and 
the occurrences which followed with respect to that work, 
in perfect accordance with wl^p^t has been since published 
in his Life ; and then proceeds : 

" Had it not been that I could not raise money to print 
my volume of sermons (1796,) without borrowing, and had 
no right to risk the property of others, I should not, I 

12 




1.34 LETTERS TO [No. 

think, have submitted to solicit subscriptions for the work 
even by general proposals : and, when it was published, I 
found the printers and publishers much more punctual in 
their Remands than the subscribers and booksellers in their 
payments, which reduced me to serious difficulties ; though 
I have got my money uncommonly well since — I believe I 
miay claim the honor of having done, and doing, as much 
work for nothing as any man in rriy line ; and I can assure 
you that I should, humanly speaking, have been several 
hundred pounds richer than I am, had I never published a 
book in my life. I do not, however, repent : for I trust I 
have been more useful that way than by preaching. — I 
have almost always found those with whom I have dealt too 
deep for me in making bargains ;* and the desire of pub- 
lishing cheap has led me sometimes to publish too cheap ; 
though, upon the whole, I have not lost materially by any 
publication except the Bible ; and am in general rather a 
gainer : but, if I have gained £200 by other books, I lost 
above £700 at once by that. I only w^onder that a man 
who was just before without any property could lose so 

much, and not lose his credit, or even his liberty But 

I can say with Jacob, The Lord hath fed me all my life 
long ; and, having food and raiment^ let 21s be therewith 
(content, I have maintained my family decently, and kept 
up my credit fully, during above twenty years, since I first 
cast myself on God's providence, (by following the dictates 
of my conscience, and the path of duty,)t and have been 
enabled to help many others likewise. My losses never 
troubled me, except when I could hardly answer the de- 
mands made on me, and the sense of being in debt disquie- 
ted me. I have all sins in my heart ; and, among the rest, 
have often to ©onflict with covetousness : but it is not my 
easily besetting sin : and my trials in that respect have 
scarcely been felt, compared with others that respect my 
ministry and domestic concerns ;J especially the death of 
relations, frequent sicknesses in my family, and the pain I 
feel on account of unconverted friends. I do not feel the 
least anxiety to be rich, or to see my children rich : nor do 
I fear but they will be provided for, if they act properly. 

* It may be due to the present proprietors of his Bible, and publishers of 
his works, to bay that this was written before my father had any dealings 
with them. f See Life, p, 78. 

% He thinks it needful to explain this in a postscript ; that " in domestic 
fife he had been peculiarly comfortable, e^^cept as death or sickness had 
iftterveoefi," 



IX.] A FRIEND IN SCOTLAND. 13 ^ 

........I am surrounded on all sides with mercies ; if I had 

but a patient, contented, and thankful heart. Surely good- 
ness and mercy have followed me all the days of my life : 
and I trust / shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. 
And I own, if I may but be helped to pay my way, and 
live according to my present plan, I had rather it should be 
said after my death, ' He worked hard, and died poor,' than 
that ' He left some thousands behind him :' for, though it 
will then nowise affect me, yet it may more favorably im- 
press those that take up any of my publications.— -I would 
therefore set up my Ebenezer : hitherto the Lord hath 
helped me. I verily believe that I. have not had one loss, 
disappointment, or mortification, more than my stout spirit 
required : and I sometimes think that, in heaven, I shall 
thank God more for my medicines, than for my meals or 
cordials : because I should have chosen the latter, and I 
prayed for them ; but he forced the other on me, as abso- 
lutely necessary, though I would fain have been without them. 

" Having dwelt so long on these subjects, I have no 
yoom, though I took a larger sheet than usual, to descant 
on others. The case you mention* is lamentable. Alas, 
how many such do we hear of! and how loudly do they 
call on us to watch and pray that ice enter not into tempta- 
tion ; and, lahile we think we standi to take heed lest we fall. 
You know the scriptural rules ; From such withdraw thy- 
self^ that they may he ashamed. This, in the first instance, 
(s necessary to stop the mouths of enemies — that the blame 
may rest on the man, not on the gospel ; and to humble 
and abase him, in order to his recovery, if there be life in 
his soul. But the rules also of restoring^ in the spirit of 
meekness^ such as are overtaken in a fault ; and of saving 
with fear^ plucking them out of the fire^ hating the garment 
spotted with the fiesh ^ will occur to you. Hatred of the 
sin ; fear of being polluted, or of disgracing the cause ; 
trembling over the sinner, yet longing, praying, and trying 
for his recovery ; are peculiarly important. — I hope the 
Lord will overrule it for good ; especially in teaching min- 
isters to insist more on practical subjects in connexion with 
evangeUcal truth. 

" Any thing in my way that I can do for you in town you 
may command. — With Christian respects to my unknown 
Uieads, I remain, dear sir, Your's affectionately, 

" Thomas Scott." 

'^ The fall of a popular preacher. 



136 LETTERS TO [So. 

This renewed notice of my father's difficulties and losses^ 
incurred in giving his publications, particularly his Com- 
mentary, to the world, furnishes the occasion of remarking, 
that it would be a very improper use made of this part of 
his history, should any one be emboldened to involve him- 
self in a similar manner, by observing how Mr. Scott was 
carried through his embarrassments. A man must be fully 
assured indeed, perhaps more fully assured than previously 
to trial it is possible to become, that his motives are equally 
pure, and his integrity and firmness of mind equally great, 
before he can be warranted to follow a path into which my 
father was imperceptibly beguiled, rather than induced de- 
liberately to enter. On this subject I most readily admit 
the remarks of a Reviewer of his Life : 

^^ Few persons would have come out of such transactions 
as he did, without suffering either in their conscience or in 
their character, or in both. It is a perilous thing for a min- 
ister to be very deeply involved in the speculations of au- 
thorship, but still more so in pecuniary responsibilities. — ^. 
Their operation on the character is more frequently the re- 
verse of that which they appear to have had on that of Mr. 
Scott, whose spirituality of mind was but promoted by cir- 
cumstances tending to destroy it ; who was but humbled by 
disappointments which would have made many men sordid 
and querulous ; and who found matter for thankfulness 
when others would have desponded. His rare integrity 
and sim.plicity of mind carried him through the consequen- 
ces of his own " incaution,'' and his very mistakes were 
overruled for the most important benefit to others. But he 
paid dearly for it in the interim ; and a man of less strength 
of mind and firmness of principle would probably have fall- 
en a victim to his imprudence. We have no doubt that 
Mr. Scott would himself sanction, were he living, this view 
of the circumstances."* 



'' Chapel Street, October 20, 1797. 

"dear sir, 

" The date of your letter reminds me that I have too long 
delayed to answer it : but my family was at Margate when 
I received it ; for some time after I went thither, and 
returned by sea every week ;t and, since we all got set- 

* Eclectic Review, Dec. 1822, p. 502. 503. 
tJLife, p.217,2J5. 



IXi] A FRIEND IN SCOTLAND. 137 

tied again at homej I have been but poorly in health, and 
engaged in a variety of ways. However, I lost no time in 
transnaitting your orders to the proper quarters, and I hope 
they will be duly attended to. •• 

" I received also your kind •present of Mr. Anderson's 
book on faith ; and, though I have not yet read the whole 
of it, I am suiiiciently informed of his scheme to give an 
opinion on it; because it is a subject which I have studied 
more than any other for many years. In general I do not 
differ from him any thing like so much as I do from Mr. 
Booth's ' Glad Tidings,'* and from many things in Hervey 
and Marshall :t yet in some points I differ from him, and 
in others I think his views contracted and confused. I 
apprehend that the writers who have gone on that plan 
do not much enter into the apostle's views of faith, as sta- 
ted and exemplified, in its nature and effects, in the eleventh 
chapter of Hebrews. They confine the exercise of faith 
very much to one single article ; and commonly confound 
it with hope : they do not properly distinguish between 
dead and living faith ; and they scarcely leave room for the 
difference between weak and strong faith, because they 
confound the certainty of the things, in themselves, with 
the assurance we have of them. The former is always the 
.same, the latter is proportioned to the strength of our faith. 
But, having written a book on the subject,^ I shall not fill 
my paper with further observations, except as they arise out 
of your letter. 

" You say, ' We teach that Christ and all his benefits 
are made over to every one that hears the gospel.' Then 
it follows that they are the sinner's before he believes^ 
and will continue his though he should never believe. I 
teach, that Christ and all his benefits are proposed and 
offered to all that hear the gospel : that some, left to them- 
selves, refuse him that speaketh ; others, ' through grace, 
obey the call,' accept the invitation, believe the testimo- 
ny, and come to Christ ; and that the blessings are ' made 
over' to these, and to these exclusively. Let him that is 
athirsty that will, come, fake, and drink : but let him not 
fancy himself athirst and willing, and imagine the blessings 
his own, while he neglects to come, take, and drink, I 
think my view gives quite as much encouragement to all that 
want encouraging, as the other statement ; and, if I niis- 

- Life, p. 213. t Ibid. p. 3D7, 42(5. 

4 * Warrant and Nature of Faith.' 



>38 LETTERS TO [K&r 

fake not, it is more consistent with the general tenor of 
scripture, and not so liable to soothe men^s consciences 
into a^ false peace and a presumptuous confidence. It was 
in this point especially, tkat from the first I was compelled 
to dissent from Mr. Hervefy :^ and, after about twenty 
years' study and observation, in situations peculiarly suited 
for experiment, I am more than ever confirmed in my opin- 
ion, and rendered deeply sensible of the wide-spread effi- 
cacy of the other statement, in deceiving men's souls^ 
and in bringing in a loose, superficial gospel, to the un- 
speakable dishonor of the Christian religion. My Whole 
ministry and writings have uniformly been directed to 
counteract these principles, though not in a way of con- 
troversy : and, instead of thinking that Mr. Marshall's 
bookt has been very useful, I consider it as having been 
of very bad consequence to numbers. Many, I doubt not,*^ 
have got benefit from its contents, because much good is' 
contained in it : but its system, fairly drawn out, is neither 
more nor less than false affections, springing from a base- 
less confidence, effecting, [that is, proposing in this way 
to effect,] by a natural process, that [purification of heart 
and] reformation of life, which the scripture ascribes to 
the new-creating power of the Holy Spirit. To believe 
that Christ and all blessings are mine, previously to all 
genuine humiliation for sin, is xfalse confidence. Th s may 
give rise to many high affections in a selfish heart, which 
will be good-humoured when pleased, and reconciled to a 
false notion of the divine character, and to an unscriptural 
gospel : while yet the carnal mind is enmity against God. 
" If you wish to understand this- subject more fully, read 
Bellamy's ^ Letters and Dialogues between Theron, Aspa- 
sio, and Paulinus ;' in which, though I disapprove his harsh 
language, and think he runs into extremes, there is such 
scriptural argument as never can be answered. But, above 
all, make it a matter of prayer to the Lord to lead you inta 
the truth, ii* a point that is peculiarly connected with all ex- 
perience and practice. Suffice it that I give my opinion ; 
and, in my opinion, it has been the chief error of moderu 
evangelical preaching ; in which we have adopted, as pure 
gospel, the very sentiments which eminent divines of the 
last age opposed as a most refined and dangerous sort of 
antinomianism ; as many of Fiavel's writings^ and those of 

^ Sec Force of Truth. t * The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification ' 



IX.] A FRIEND IN SCOTLAND. 139 

others that opposed Dr. Crisp, &;c. prove. Many good 
men hold these sentiments ; but they are (even to them) 
of a relaxing nature, and I do not think their attainments 
in sanctifi cation are the greater for them ; but they are the 
pillow and the opiate of false professors : and, though such 
will have pillows and opiates, yet I do not wish the friends 
of Christ to prepare them for them. 

'^ I am almost sorry that I took up the subject, as it car- 
ries me too far (ia point of room.) — I never am shy of any 
man because I differ from him, provided he will permit me 
to declare my mind freely ; and one may go further in a 
confidential letter than would be proper in print. 

" The patients in the Lock Hospital are the refuse of 
this sink of v/ickedness, (the metropolis,) especially the 
wretched v/omen. About five hundred are cured annually. 
I preach twice a week to them in the wards, as plainly as 
possible ; besides their attendance on public worship. We 
can tell little of the effects on those who leave us ; though 
T know of a little, and am persuaded that there is a great deal 
more, good done. But I have been enabled to establish 
another charity* on a small scale, for such women as when 
cured, express a desire to reform. We have now living 
at least ten steady Christians of some years' standing, who 
were thus brought out. Others have died happy, and many 
are living creditably in service ; though our disappointments 
are numerous. In short our charity (the hospital and asy- 
lum together) is a Bethesda, a house of mercy to the bodies 
and souls of the vilest and most wretched of the species, and 
I think peculiarly evangelical, 

" I can only add that t shall be glad to hear from you 
either on the subject of this letter, or on that you refer to ; 
though I cannot promise to enter particularly into the for- 
mer. — I remain with great sincerity, 

" Your affectionate friend and servant, 

"Thos. Scott. 

With the remark that ^^one may go further in a confi- 
dential letter than would be proper in print,'' I would (for 
my own justification,) combine that which I elsewhere had 
occasion to make, that, " under the sanction and authority 
which death has added to his character," the writer of 
these letters " may now speak some things publicly, which 

^ The Lock Asylum, foand'ed 1787. 



140 LETTERS TO [No, 

perhaps propriety or expediency required that he should 
before say only in private to his friends.''^ 

In ilkistration of that part of the preceding letter which 
speaks of " effecting/' or propos;ing to effect, by a sort of 
'^ natural process/' namely by means of " false affections 
springing from a baseless confideHce/' that change " which 
the scripture ascribes to the new-creating power of the 
Holy Spirit," I shall take the liberty of here copying from 
my father's edition of the Pilgrim's Progress, a pretty long 
note, to which I should be glad to draw attention. 

" When believers, ' in the warmth of their affections,' feel 
the humbling, melting, endearing, and sanctifying effects of 
contemplating the glory of the cross, and the love of Christ 
in dying for sinners ; and consider themselves as the special 
objects of that inexpressible compassion and kindness ; they 
are apt to conclude that the belief of the propositions, that 
Christ loves them and died for them^ and that God is recon^ 
died to them, produces the change by its own influence ; 
and would affect the most carnal hearts in the same manner, 
could men be persuaded to embrace it. For they vainly 
imagine that apprehensions of the severity of divine justice, 
and the dread of vengeance, are the sources of the enmity 
which sinners manifest against God. — Hence very lively 
and affectionate Christians have frequently been prone to 
sanction the unscriptural tenet, that the justifying act of faith 
consists in assuredly believing that Christ died for me, w 
particidar, and that God loves me ; and to consider this ap^ 
prop7'iation as preceding repentance^ and every other gracious 
disposition : and as, in some sense, the cause of regeneration^ 
winning the heart to love God, and to rejoice in him, and 
in obeying his commandments. — From this doctrine others 
have inferred that, if all men, and even devils too, believed 
the love of God to them, and his purpose at length to make 
them happy, they would be won over from rebellion against 
him, which they persist in from a mistaken idea that he is 
their implacable enem}^ : and they make this one main 
argument in support of the salutary tendency of the final 
restitution scheme. But all these opinions arise from a 
false and flattering estimate of human nature ; for the car- 
nal mind hates the scriptural character of God,t and the 
glory displayed in the cross, even more than that which 
shines forth in the fiery law. — Indeed, if we take away the 

^ Life, p. 407. 

t " His real character, and not a mistaken notion of him." War» ap"^! 
x^dX. of Faith. 



iX.] A FRIEND IN SCOTLAND. I4l 

offensive part of the gospel ; the honour it puts upon the 
law and its awful sanctions, and the exhibition it makes of 
the divine justice and holiness ; it will give the proud carnal 
heart but little umbrage : if we admit that men's aversion 
to God and religion arises from misapprehension^ and not 
from desperate wickedness, many will endure the doctrine. 
A reconciliation, in which God assures the sinner that he 
has forgiven him, even before he has repented of his sins, 
will suit man^s pride ; and, if he has been previously fright- 
ened, a great flow of affections may follow : but the event 
will prove that they differ essentially from spiritual love of 
God, gratitude, holy joy, and genuine humiliation ; which 
arise from a true perception of the glorious perfections of 
God, of the righteousness of his law and government, of 
the real nature of redemption, and of the odiousness and 
.desert of sin. In short, all such schemes render regenera^ 
tion needless ; or substitute something else in its stead, 
which is effected by a natural process, and not by the new- 
creating power of the Holy Spirit. — But, when this divine 
agent has communicated life to the soul, and a capacity is 
produced of perceiving and relishing spiritual excellency, 
the enmity against God receives a mortal wound ; from 
that season, the more his real character and glory are 
known, the greater spiritual affection will be excited, and 
a proportionable transformation into the same holy image 
effected. Then the view of the cross, as the grand display 
of all the harmonious perfections of the Godhead, sof^ 
tens, humbles, and meliorates the heart : while the per- 
suasion of an interest in these blessings, and an admiring 
sense of having received such inconceivable favours from 
this glorious and holy Lord God, will still further elevate 
. the soul above all low pursuits, and constrain it to the most 
unreserved and self-denying obedience. But, while the 
heart remains unregenerate, the glory of God and the gos- 
pel will either be misunderstood, or hated in proportion as 
it is discovered. Such views and affections, therefore, as 
have been described, spring from special grace ; and are 
not produced by the natural efficacy of any sentiments, but 
by the immediate influence of the Holy Spirit ; so that 
even true believers, though habitually persuaded of their 
interest in Christ, and of the love of God to them, are only 
at times thus filled with holy affections : nor will the same 
contemplations constantly excite similar exercises ; but they 
often bestow much pains to get their minds affected by 



142 LETTERS TO [No. 

them, in vain ; while at other times a single glance of' 
thought fills them with the most fervent emotions of holy 
love and joy."* 



'• Chapel Street, February 9, 1798, 
•• DEAR SIR, 

" I WAS very much pleased with the contents 

of your letter, and with your way of stating the meaning 
of the terms to which I had objected. Many of these 
expressions would be harmless enough, if men were more 
simple, teachable, and upright : but the heart is deceitful 
above all thijigs and desperately ivicked j and Satan is con- 
tinually employing all the deceivahleness of unrighteousness^ 
in order to impose upon men with the semblance of truth. 
He is ever aiming to mix poison with our food ; and, 
according to the prevailing sentiments of the more reli- 
gious sort of persons, he accommodates his devices, mak- 
ing some damnable heresy palatable and unsuspected, by 
grafting it on, or infusing it into, the doctrine that most 
currently passes wuth apparently serious people : just as 
an artful destroyer of vermin mixes his poison with the 
very food of which they are severally most fond. Such 
plans of deception, * such methods of keeping men asleep 
in sin, as succeed to the uttermost where the precious 
truths of the Gospel are not known, are of little avail where 
those truths are generally know n, and considered as essen- 
tial to true religion. But shall the enemy, then, here give 
up his designs, and make no further attempts to deceive ? 
Has he nothing in the human heart congenial to devices of 
another kind ? If men can no longer be lulled asleep in 
carnal security, either without any religion, or by super- ^ 
stitiou, forms of worship, or pharisaical self-righteousness ; 
does he give it up as a lost case ? By no means. He has. 
many ways of effecting his work of deception yet remain- 
ing. But, alas ! numbers, both of teachers and writers, 
seem ignorant of his devices. As a friend of mine expresses 
it, ' They barricado the front door, and keep guard there 
incessantly, but leave the back doors and windows unguar- 
ded and unclosed.' They have discovered that the human 

. * Srott's Works. v(>i. 'x\\. p. 395—397 : or liis edit, of the Pilgrim's Pro- - 
^resj!, 12mo. p. 296, 297 : E<igii-h Edition. — See also observations upon the 
name suhject, ar.J on ''schemes of preachino*' formed on this erroneous 
\ie\v, in \Variant aud Nature, of Failh, part u. sect. ?>. Works vol. ' p- 
474—^7. ' ' 



IX.] A FRIEND IN SCOTLAND, 143 

heart is prone to self-righteous pride, but seem not aware 
that it is equally prone to the love of sinful pleasures and 
worldly objects ; and that the Pharisee and the Antinomi- 
an lodge more peaceably in the same dwelling, than we 
are apt to suppose. — The grand object of aversion to the 
carnal heart in the gospel is, the honour put upon the strict 
and holy law of God by the obedience and death of Christ; 
which shews the evil of sin so fully and unanswerably, 
that it proclaims the strictest moralist and formalist so de- 
serving of condemnation, that he must have perished if 
Christ had not thus obeyed and died ; and must still perish, 
unless, renouncing all other confidences, he avail himself 
of this provision, in the same manner with those very im- 
moral wretches whom he so proudly disdains : nay that, if 
the vilest of these believers in Christ, he will certainly be 
saved, while the most amiable and respectable unbeliever 
will perish deservedly and without mercy. This forms 
the grand objection of the carnal mind to the Gospel; but, 
when an unrenewed heart is driven by argument, and un- 
answerable scriptural testimonies, from the ground of di- 
rect opcsition, it immediatly lies open to Satan's attempts 
to substitute a form of knowledge, a dead faith, false affec- 
tions, and a presumptuous hope, instead of its former con- 
fidence. The carnal mind is enmity against God ; for it is 
not subject to the law of God^ neither indeed can be : and 
its enmity to the purity and spirituality of the precepts is as 
strong, as its enmity to the indiscriminate sentence of final 
condemnation which it denounces. Nor can this enmity 
be reconciled ; it must be crucified and destroyed. When 
therefore, terror and conviction drive a man to disavow 
his former self-justifying pleas, and to allow that mercy 
alone can save him ; his enmity to God and his law will 
make him seek deliverance from its commanding authority, 
as well as from its condemning sentence ; and in this way, 
as well as in many others, Satan is transfor^med into an an^ 
gel of lighty and his ministers into ministers of righteous^ 
ness : and, alas ! many good men endorse bad bills, — Direct 
avowed antinomianism is too scandalous to be general : 
barefaced rascals do comparatively little mischief in the 
common state of society : but, by carrying certain parts of 
religion to an extreme, as if men could not use too strong 
words in stating and extolling them, or be disproportion- 
ately zealous for them ; other pjirts, of equal importance, 
^e run down or kept out of sight. In this way a most 



144 LETTERS TO [N*0. 

subtilcj pernicious, and disgraceful bias to practical^ and in 
some sense to doctrinal^ antinomianism has become very 
general, by means of unscriptural terms, and methods of 
stating the doctrines of the Gospel. — The head may be the 
principal part of a man ; but it^is not the whole man. The 
doctrine of justification is not the whole of Christianity ; 
nor being justified the whole of salvation. — This dispro- 
portionate way of teaching only balances parties, and rules 
by thus balancing them : whereas the scripture attacks 
equally all the corruptions of the carnal heart, aad gives 
no quarter to any of them. 

" I remain very sincerely, 

'' Your affectionate friend and servant, 

" Thomas Scott.-' 

" Chapel Street, May 12, 1798. 
^^ DEAR SIR, 

" The account you give of yourself is very in- 
teresting, and suggests many important instructions. It 
confirms me in my sentiments respecting education, in 
which I am deemed singular. I am very averse to public 
schools ; and I never sent any one of my children to school 
in my life, because I thought the danger to their morals 
and religious principles vastly more than compensated all 
the advantages to be derived. When parents are really 
pious, and can possibly do it, they had better give their 
children an education at home, defective as to learning, 
than run the risk of sending them to situations where their 
very advantages are unspeakably dangerous, and where 
the boldest sinner will commonly be the example, and give 
the tone to the manners of all the boys ; and where they 
will be almost sure to corrupt one another, whatever pains 
a master may bestow. 

" One might go through every statge of your history with 
similar observations. — The danger connected with the love 
and pride of science, with the choice of agreeable com- 
panions, — agreeable, perhaps, because flatterers, or be- 
cause they are congenial in disposition to our own predom- 
inant carnal propensities ; with the removal of children 
from under the inspection of pious parents, when it can be 
avoided, &c 

" In many respects your account shews you to have been 
naturally very much like me in the turn and bias of your 
mind ; and I was reminded of many past transactions by 



IX.] A FRIEND IN SCOTLAND. 145 

reading your letter In one thing especially I mark a 

similitude : my bad history would have been still worse, 
had I not been restrained by want of money, and want of 
effrontery, from acting out what was conceived in my 
heart ; and 1 seldom fail, several times in the course of the 
week, to thank the Lord for thus keeping me from render- 
ing myself and others miserable and mischievous. 

" There is a notion very common, that a studious dispo- 
sition, or what I call the love and pride of science, pre- 
serves a man from sensual inclinations or indulgences : and 
so it may as far as pride of character is concerned ; but I 
believe no further. It is, I apprehend, very common for 
the most scientific persons to be by turns, in secret, very 
sensual : and, in short, though there are various differences 
of character, nothing can preserve any man, but a serious 
regard to the all-seeing eye of God, and a diligent use of 
his appointed means, in dependence on his all-sufficient 
grace. What discoveries will the day of judgment make ! 
How many through life stand high for moral virtue, be- 
cause they artfully and successfully elude detection ! And 
how^ often is the detection itself of some concealed vice the 
first thing that excites suspicion ; while the person himself 
has for years been conscious that he was quite another cha- 
racter than he was supposed to be ! 

" The deceitfulness and desperate wickedness of the hu- 
man heart ; the artifices of Satan and his instruments ; the 
inefficacy of forms, about which men so zealously contend ; 
the corrupt motives of many conversions of this external 
kind, which have the fairest appearance of impartiality, 
serious examination, and conviction ; the difference between 
convictions, impressions, and temporary earnestness, and 
^ real change of heart ; the sovereignty and super-abun- 
dance of divine grace ; the excellence of true Christianity ; 
the unspeakable advantage of a pious education : these and 
several other particulars might be selected as topics on 
which to enlarge. But it is not needful, and I have nei- 
ther time nor room— The Lord has indeed dealt most 
wonderfully with you ; and I trust your future life will 
shew that the grace bestowed on you has not been in vain ; 
but that he intended to make you not only blessed^ but a 
blessing, — I see no reason to doubt the reality of your hu- 
miliation. If you thought it deep enough, I should doubt. 
But you seem rather to confound humiliation with terror 
and distress : the former is essential to repentance, the lat- 

13 



146 LETTERS TO [No. 

ter merely circumstances : repentance may be without 

them, and they without repentance 

" Believe me, in great haste, 

^' Your affectionate and faithful 

" Friend and servant, 

" Thos. ScoTt.^^ 



"Chapel Street, May 26, 1798. 
" DEAR SIR, 

^' I THANK you for your kind inquiries about my 

health, it is no worse than usual ; for I never had strong 
health : and for nearly twenty years have been very much 
subject to asthma and bilious complaint, which require me 
to use such means as often keep me languid. But on the 
whole I am better in some respects than I was som6 years 
since ; though I do not seem capable of quite so much 
work. During the twelve years and a half that I have 
been in London, I have never once been laid by on the 
Lord's day ; though I have often been apparently unfit for 
my work : but the Lord has helped me through ; and I am 
best when employed 

" the bookseller has bought the whole stock in 

hand of the Bible, and at most we shall not divide two 
shillings and sixpence in the pound on the original pub- 
lisher's debts, which to me were JC842. If I could liav(^ 
raised the money, I should have purchased the residue of 
the work : but perhaps, indeed certainly j it was best 1 
should not.* 

^' I shall be glad to hear from you more at length ; and, 
as my engagements will permit, shall be happy to give 
my sentiments on any subject you desire, and to make any 
communications in my power. — I trust the Lord is yoUr 
guide and teacher : he hath done great things for you, as 
an earnest of greater ; and I hope it will be found that 
he means you to be an instrument of good to many others 
also. 

" I remain, 

" Your sincere and faithful 
" Friend and servant, 

" Thomas Scott/' 

"^ See Life, pp. 188, 195. 



IX.] A FRIEND IN SCOTLAND. 147 

" Chapel Street, August 29, 1798. 
" DEAR SIRj 

^^ I OUGHT to have answered your last sooner : but at 
this season of the year I am seldom capable of so much ap- 
plication as at other times, and am therefore very ready to 
shift off any thing that can be postponed. 

" As I have not heard any more from you, I hope the 
Lord has so ordered matters that it will not be necessary 
for you to go abroad, which in your present circumstances 
seems undesirable : yet we are very incompetent judges 
in such matters. Who could previously have thought that 
St. Paul's tedious imprisonment would have been for the 
furtherance of the gospel ? Should you, therefore, after all 
your reluctance, be unable to decline the service with pro- 
priety, I trust it will be overruled for the glory of Godj 
and for your own good, and future usefulness ; and what is 
our cross does not often prove our snare. The acquisition 
of the French language may be a very important advan- 
tage, in a variety of circumstances. I have an idea that it 
is not at all improbable, that France itself, may, within a 
course of years, be one of the best fields for missionaries. 
But I will not enlarge at present on that. 

" Your account of the manner in which the Lord has 
hitherto led you is highly satisfactory : and also your views 
of the importance of retirement, and of much personal se- 
cret religion ; to which an over eagerness in studying even 
religious books, an indulged delight in pious company and 
converse, and a disproportionate frequency in attending on 
public or social worship, may often prove great hin- 
drances. When the mind is upon the whole properly dis- 
posed, we are seldom hindered in the first instance by 
gross evils, at which we revolt : but various things, not evil 
in themselves, neiy, perhaps good in their place, become 
the little foxes that spoil the vinesj^ and prevent fruitfulness, 
as well as make way for the enemy to suggest further 
temptations. Wo are naturally most indisposed to what 
is most spiritual : secret communion with God is of all du- 
ties most spiritual: we therefore find it peculiarly difficult 
to keep our hearts thoroughly close to it ; and the enemy 
will use every method of rendering us formal and remiss 
in it. But you are forewarned^ and I trust will be fore- 
4'rmed, — Depend upon it, every thing will prosper in 

"^ Sol. Song, ii. 1.7. 



148 LETTERS TO [Xo. 

the event in a very near proportion to our earnestness and 
perseverance in prayer : but negligence here will be follow- 
ed by a declension, perhaps almost unperceived, in all 
other respects ; and will make way for temptations, falls, 
corrections, darkness, and inward distresses. If like Jacob, 
we wrestle with God and prevail, we shall eventually pre- 
vail in all our other conflicts. 

^' I do not in the least wonder at what you mention con- 
cerning your desjre for the ministry, and I think it very 
probable that the Lord intends in due time thus to employ 
you. It appears, however, to me, that you should endeavor 
rather to repress and moderate the desire, than to indulge 
it at present ; at least to aim and pray for a willingness to 
wait the Lord's time, and to submit to his will as to the 
event. I should not consider it as any deduction from the 
prospect of future usefulness, should you meet with vari- 
ous disappointments and delays, and repeatedly seem to 
have the door shut against you ; so as to induce you to 
leave it calmly in the Lord's hands to determine whether he 
sees good to emplo\' you or not. I lay a great stress on 
the Apostle's rule. Not a novice, or new convert ; and deem 
some time spent in gaining self-acquaintance, knowledge of 
the human heart, and experience both of what is within 
and what is around us, with other qualifications and endow- 
ments for so arduous and important a work, much better 
than a premature entrance upon it ; and, if the Lord have 
work for us to do, we shall certainW be preserved to do it. 
I think, however, that it is very right to have an eye to 
the service continually, and to be aiming to acquire that 
kind of knowledge which may be peculiarly suited to the 
character of a minister, as well as that which is profitable to 
a Christian. And here I should advise you to recede, 
though with caution, from your strict rule of reading no- 
thing but on religious subjects. I did this for a considerable 
time : but I think I should have been qualified for various 
services, for which I am now incompetent, had I set apait 
a portion of my time, not too large, for acquiring general 
knovr ledge. It appears to me that theology is best learn- 
ed from the scriptures and a few select books ; that one 
often reads very pious works without much enlarging one's 
fund of knowledge, though they produce a good effect on 
the heart ; that a minister should be continually, if possible, 
increasing his knowledge, while he watches carefully his 
heart ; and that any sensible book, if read so as to be con- 



JX.] A FRIEND IN SCOTLAND, 149 

tinually compaired with the scriptures, will increase useful 
knowledge, — namely, that of human nature, of the state of 
the world, the delusions which prevail, the most plausible 
objections to our doctrines, the weak side of our way of 
stating them, and a thousand other things which a well in- 
formed scribe in the law of God knows how to make good 
use of. I call this reconnoitring ; which is necessary to the 
commander, though not to the common soldiers. Perhaps 
SI little reading of this kind, such as history, biography, sys- 
tems of morals, &c. might eventually favour your grand de- 
sign. — I am not aware, of the line in which you have 
thoughts of obtaining admission. I think I have heard that 
there are great difficulties in this respect in the established 
church of Scotland : is it easier among the seceders ? or 
have you any other plan ? I throw out these hints, being 
ready to give my opinion on any thing you may think it 
worth while to propose to me, as I feel considerably inter- 
ested in your concerns. 

" Your present employment in respect of the Sunday 
schools seems to promise considerable usefulness, and may 
prove a step to something further. I should consider it of 
some importance to proceed with it decidedly ^ yet giving as 
little offence as possible, without deviating from your grand 
purpose. — I can give no decided opinion on the method by 
which your teachers proceed. As far as the children are 
concerned, it is certainly right to endeavour, by suitable ex- 
planations and illustrations, to make the truths inculcated 
clear and intelligible, and to apply them to their hearts and 
consciences ; yet I easily conceive how, by admitting the 
presence of other persons, you may fall under the charge 
of lay-preaching ; and whether some method might not be 
devised of attaining the object, without exposing yourselves 
to the censure, or at least to a plausible charge of irregu- 
larity, may be worth considering 

" I could say something on Sunday schools, had I room, 
I do not approve of teaching more in them than reading ;* 
and I should be rejoiced to have them under the care of 
pious persons : but if you knew how many thousands of 
children in England are by them taught to read the Bible, 
and accustomed to go to a place of worship, when other- 
wise they would have been learning, practising, and teach- 
ing all manner of wickedness, you would think this little 

* That is, not of writing, &c. 
13* 



150 LETTERS TO [No. 

help something, ainl something important. With best wishes 
and prayers, 

" I remain, dear sir, 

" Your affectionate and faithful friend, 

^^ Thomas Scott/" 

*' Chapel Street, November 10^ 1798. 
^^deAr sir, 

...i.. "I THINK your views in respect of your grand design 
are very proper ; and, in thus waiting on the Lord, he will 
no doubt direct you in due time to the best measures, and 
to that determination which will be most for his glory and 
your real good. — When I proposed the question concerning 
the body of Christians among whom you meant to seek ad- 
mission into the ministry* I was not fully aware of the 
import of my own inquiry ; for I find the difficulties are in 
most cases greater than I supposed. I could, as far as I can 
see, if it were fairly in my line, communicate with your 
seceders, as a layman, but I am sure I co»uld not conscien- 
tiously enter into the engagements required of those whom 
they ordain. I believe all parties^ were wrong in many 
things, last century ; and it seems absurd to make an unqual- 
ified approbation of any party, so long since, the sine qua 
non of ministering in the gospel of Christ at present ; when 
the most able, studious, and pious men can scarcely make 
up their own minds on so complicated a business ; and most 
men are absolutely incompetent,^ through want of adequate 

information, to form any judgment about it 

; ^' I do not think either great strength of body, or singular 
tMents of mind, are at all essential to the work of the min- 
istry. As to the former, many of the most useful men that 
ever lived have seemed to think their ill state of health, 
leading them to speak ' as dying men to dyinf men,' one 
great means of their usefulness. And, though considerable 
talents are necessary for some special services,, yet God 
has not generally made much use of them, and they have 
often been snares, rather than advantages, to the possessors ; 
while men of moderate talents, with humble, simple, zeal- 
ous minds, have had the greatest success. Besides, we are 
not competent judges of our own talents : and conscious un- 
worthiness and insufficiency constitute one grand requisite 
for simplicity of dependence on the Lord in all things.—- 
Classical learning, in the present state of things, is neces- 
sary for admission into the ministry ; and it is proper that 
some, or even many, ministers should be classical scholars : 



IX.] A FRIEND IN SCOTLAND. 151 

but I am of opinion that a good fund of general knowledge^ 
connected with an accurate and enlarged acquaintance with 
the Bibloj and with theology as a science, (ail of which 
may be attained by one who understands his own native 
language alone,) are far more useful in the pastoral office, 
in general circumstances, than a moderate acquaintance 
with languages can be. — In short, I would have two sorts 
of ministers : one so completely learned as to be able to 
meet the enemies of Christianity on that ground, and to be 
above them at their own weapons : the other, pastors of no 
other pretentions than to be scribes tvell instructed in the 
word of God, and the great things of true religion. A 
smattering of Greek and Latin, or Hebrew, procured by 
an adult, at a great expense of time, if n6t of money, that 
might be better employed, is seldom of much use ; and fre- 
quently only renders the possessor conceited and dogmatical. 
— But in this we must accommodate to the opinions of those 
among whom we attempt to obtain admission. 

'' I really am incompetent to give any particular advice 
on the last subject you mention, except that I should be 
very frank and open in avowing my purpose, not to let 
regard to wordly interest or credit influence me, in the 
least, to do or omit any thing, contrary to my conscience ; 
or that so much as seemed to be declining the reproach of 
Christ. You are perfectly right, that every concession 
will make way for some other requisition : and, except you 
can be convinced that some part of your conduct has been 
justly reprehensible, or needlessly offensive, or intermed- 
dling with things which do not belong to 3^ou, your wisdom 
and safety will consist in making no concessions, but meekly, 
yet firmly, avowing a purpose of acting up to your con- 
science, and taking the consequences. In every thing else 
concede : here be firm. The axe-head would not have 
enabled the hewer to cut down the forest, if the trees had 
decidedly and unanimously refused him a handle : but, that 
granted, the rest followed.... But my paper is full, my time 
gone, and I am tired.— With best wishes and prayers, 
" I remain, 

" Your's faithfully and affectionately, 

^^ Thomas Scott. '' 

" Chapel Street, May 25, 1799. 
*^ DEAR SIR, 

....... ^' We have set on foot a new society for missions 

to Africa and the East by members of the established church : 



152 LETTERS TO [N 

and, as I am a party greatly concerned, and have acceptc 
the office of secretary, it occupies a great deal of my tim 
Probably we shall engage a set of men (to support it,) ar 
draw most of our resources from quarters, which are out 
the reach of other societies. If you knew any one of 
heroical spirit in the cause of Christ and of souls, he mig 
here have an opportunity of exerting himself in that best 
services. 

'^ I have it not at all in my power at present to enti 
upon the questions about ' the covenant,' to which the sec 
ders are so much attached : nor am I qualified, without mo] 
study, to give a decided opinion, grounded on convincir 
arguments, suited to settle the judgment of a seriaus ii 
quirer. I have always thought it very extraordinary i 
blend the political disputes of the last century (for fro 
these in great measure the questions originated,) with tl 
religious profession of the present ; when, in fact, I thir 
the chief fault of the religion of that turbulent time wj 
its close connexion with politics. I do not see how ar 
one can swear to the solemn league and covenant, withoi 
engaging for what he knows to be impracticable. I a; 
not very partial to oaths at all, except when absolute] 
necessary. I cannot see how the oaths of our forefathei 
can bind us ; or that we have any right to sw^ar in tli 
name of our posterity. The solemn league and covenai 
.seems to me to breathe a severe, if not a persecuting spirit 
and I could not by any means enter into such an engag( 
ment : but many wise and good men have thought othe] 

wise ; and I can only judge for myself. In fact, I scarcel 

know any body of Christians who do not seem to me t 
require some things, either in respect to communion, or t 
the ministry, with which I am not satisfied : so that I d 
not wish to render others so scrupulous as I am myself. 

" With respect to public covenanting^ I think all w 

have to do with the sins of the nation, or body we belon 
to, is, to repent of our own sins, and do our own duties 
and, when we do what we can to prevent or counterac 
the sins of the nation, we are not answerable for what w 
cannot help ; and can never be required to engage for wha 
we cannot perform. — Nehemiah was the civil governoi 
and was doing the duty of his place : and I should think i 
very different to concur with the civil governor in sue] 
an engagement, and to enter into a covenant of this kin( 
without him, or against him. The other passages relate 



IX-.] A FRIEND IN SCOTLAND. 152 

to personally covenanting with the Lord to be his servants^ 
not to public and political covenanting about matters almost 

inseparable from the government of our country 

" I pray the Lord to direct you, to counsel, comfort, and 
prosper you ! and I remain in great haste, 

" Your affectionate friend, 

- "Thomas Scott." 

My father's correspondent here remarks, "In this and 
some following letters it will appear, with what judicious 
views Mr. Scott enters on a subject which to an English- 
man must be very strange, and little heard of; namely, the 
disputes which have subsisted so long among the good peo- 
ple in Scotland, about the covenants and vows of their 
forefathers during the civil wars with Charles I. These 
have been a fruitful source of contention from that period 
down to the present : and, though the controversy is now 
dying away, yet it is often entangling to the consciences of 
pious people." 

It appears to be a question among these good people, hov/ 
far the vows of the forefathers are even now binding upoil 
their posterity of the present generation ! 

" Clmpel Street, August 28, 1799. 

"dear sir, 

" I HAVE received and read over your present, as 

a specimen of Scotch divinity, and must say that it is, ac- 
cording to this specimen, extremely heterogeneous. I 
have traversed, methinks, both the frigid and the torrid 
zone ; the ice and snows of Zembla, and the burning deserts 
of Africa. The sermon on moderation conveys me about 
twenty degrees north of Laodicea ; and, except that the 
author marks, as if essential to zealous religion, some dis- 
graceful appendages which human infirmity often connects 
with it, and as he may thus furnish a hint to such as would 
take away occasion of censure from thosQ who seek occa- 
sion, I see nothing worth further notice ; and can only 
lament that things in Scotland so much, in this respect, ror 
semble the too general state of things in England. 

" The same observations almost may suffice for the pam- 
phlet on Mr. 's tour. I trust it will concur with 

other things to render the itinerants more circumspect, and 
more careful to avoid all needless offence. I luid taken the 
liberty to point out some things which I had thought liable 



154 LETTERS TO [No. 

to exception, and am happy to say they have altered them. 
I cannot but consider the design as good ; but in Scotland 
it must meet with immense opposition, from the state of 
things both among the seceders and in the establishment. 
The latter too generally, I fear, are opposed to the thing 
itself: the former seem willing rather to let things remain 
as they are, or grow worse, than to permit any to attempt 
a melioration, except in their way. We saw one casting out 
devils in thy name; but ivc forbad him, because he followed 
not tcith us, — The author of this pamphlet approaches near- 
er to the gospel, but seems by no means evangelical.* 

" The Act, DeclaratioB, and Testimony is indeed a curi- 
ous book ; and, though it brought me little information de 
710V0, yet it has so laid together the several things which I 
had before read detached, and which w^ere scattered and 
broken in my memory, that it gave me a new or clearer 
view of the whole subject. — As to doctrines (which) the 
new presbytery asserted or protested against, there are 
not many things in which I should not agree with them : 
though I think, after following or asserting the scripture to 
be the only rule, they are over-exact in requiring every 
expression to conform to the Confessions, &;c. in the strict- 
est sense they can put upon them ; which is not only too 
magisterial, but is suited entirely to preclude all attempts 
at a fuller understanding of the scriptures, than our fore- 
fathers just emerging from popery had attained. — I differ 
from them in a few points a little : but their views of Chris- 
tianity, as to doctrine, far more accord to mine than either 
those of (many) modern evangelical divines in England, 
or those of the North American divines. — But what shall 
I say to the discipline, the divine right of presbytery, the 
solemn league and covenant, &;c. ? It seems to me that 
the connexion of religion with politics i's one grand anti- 
christian abuse which was universally adopted at the refor- 
mation, by which modern Christianity is most strikingly 
discriminated from ancient. The foundation of the Angli- 
can church, as laid at the reformation by the authority of 
prince and parliament, was such as was suited to connect 
the church too closely with the governing powers, and to 
give strong temptation to a mercenary time-serving spirit 

* In a letter of September 1, 1800, he says of the '^ itinerants" here re- 
ferred to : ''I have entirely the same view of your zealous irregulars in 
Scotland that you express : but I trust that good will come out of their ex- 
ertions : and lukewarmness seems almost the icorst sym'ptom in amj chmch : so 
we must bear with their defects." — These persons afterwards gave hiu> 
nnich greater dissatisfaction 



JX.} A FRIEND IN SCOTLAND. 155 

m the clergy, especially the superior orders. And it seems 
to me, that what I should call sedition made a nest, in 
which to deposit her eggs and hatch them, in the founda- 
tions of the Scotch church, as laid more or less in opposi- 
tion, direct or indirect, to governors, by the first reform- 
ers ; and therefore, as human nature is, perpetual contests 
with civil rulers — contests favorable, perhaps, to liberty, 
but often both disgraceful and ruinous to vital religion, — 
must prevail so long as that system is pertinaciously ad- 
hered to. The evident faults of the religious opponents 
have throughout given a handle^ and afforded an excuse for 
the far, far worse crimes of their oppressors : but, instead 
of revising and removing what was liable to just objection 
in their system, the oppressed party have made it a point of 
conscience to vindicate and retain the whole, by very ex- 
ceptionable means. 

" Could the divine right of presbyterian government ex- 
clusively be established, (and I wonder where they find it 
in scripture — ^for I should never have thought of kirk ses- 
sions, &c., &c., had tJiey not mentioned them ;) I think I 
should (still) not find much difficulty in proving the solemn 
league and covenant to have implied an unlawful oath ; of 
which they who took it, whether influenced by fear, or 
principle, or any other motive, ought to have repented. 
It certainly puts the presbyterian system on the ground of 
infallibility, as much as the pope does his decrees, or those 
of the Romish church. It swears men never to be con- 
vinced that one tittle is wrong ; or, being convinced, still to 
abide by it. It reserves to the church or assemblies the 
right of determining what princes are tyrannical, and what 
measures oppressive ; and of sanctioning, or even exciting, 
resistance hy arms to such measures and princes : which is 
too much like popery in respect of dethroning heretical 
kings, &c. The primitive church, however governed, 
made no resistance when persecuted, and when all her 
assemblies were scattered ; — nay, made no protests : and I 
cannot reconcile the covenant with the scriptural rules of 
obeying the powers that he. It likewise implies an oath to 
propagate or support the presbyterian government in every 
part, without excepting the most forcible and Intolerant 
measures : and it is certain from ihe Act, Declaration, &c. 
that toleration is no part of the plan even of the seceders 
— though they themselves enjoy their present privileges 
by toleration. It seems also to imply an oath to propagate 



ibO LETTERS TO [\o. 

the same system in other countries ; not only by spiritual 
weapons, but by carnal power. 

" For these and other reasons I deem the oath itself to 
have been unlawful ; and that the national sin of Scotland 
originally consisted in taking and imposing it ; and that 
they who urged this as a reason why it was null and void 
were so far right, though wrong in almost every thing 
else. The instances in scripture of such covenanting were 
always confined to things previously the duty of the per- 
sons thus engaging ; and not only no human inventions 
were joined with the laws and ordinances of God, but not 
even any human interpretations were annexed. Exod. 
xxiv ; Deut. xxix ; 1 Sam. vii ; 2 Kings xi. Nehem. ix, x. 
This at least is the case except in the last instance refer- 
red to, where they are so simple as not to be questionable ; 
and Ezra and Nehemiah were both inspired men. But 
the solemn league and covenant is an engagement to keep 
the tradition of the elders also : and doubtless many of the 
Pharisees were as confident that their system was right, as 
the covenanting presbyterians could be.. Such engage- 
ments by oath to more than is evidently scriptural, and our 
bounden duty, are snares to men's consciences ; make way 
for perjury ; and, when enforced on large bodies of people, 
whose characters and judgments must differ, they must of 
necessity be the occasion, at least, of national sins, and of 
permanent discord and mutual accusations. 

" But, supposing the oath originally lawful, and that those 
who actually took it did right under the existing circum- 
stances, and were bound by it ; what authority had they to 
bind it on the consciences of their posterity to the remotest 
generations, who might be placed in very different circum- 
stances, and perhaps be of a very different judgment ? This 
is to perpetuate embittered religious and political contro- 
versy, entwined together, as a bequest to posterity, — as if 
it had not been a sufficient curse to that generation. I 
am answerable but for my own conduct ; and for that of 
my children only as it originates from mine. The implied 
engagement of parents in baptism, or that of sponsors in 
our church, though exceptionably expressed, can bind to 
no more 'than a proper attention to their own duty respect- 
ing the child :* and, if the parent or sponsor engage for 

* And it is so explained in the service : " Ye njust remember that it is 
your ptrts and duties to see tliat this child," &ic. 



iX.] A FRifiND iN SCOTLAND. 157 

any thing that is not really included in the baptismal pro- 
fession^ or is merely an appendage to Christianity ; the 
child, when adult, is under no obligation at all from that 
part of the engagement, and contracts no guilt in disregard- 
ing it. Being thus devoted to God, and brought up in the 
visible church, he is miore strongly bound to be a Christian 
than others, and contracts additional guilt if he renounce 
Christianity : not because parents or sponsors vowed it, but 
because God calls him to it by his word — [of which he is 
informed, and, it is probable, continually does and says 
things by which he recognizes his obligation.] But, if he 
think the church of Scotland more pure than the church of 
England, in .which he was baptized 5 or an independent 
church more scriptural than either ; he is accountable only 
for the care, impartiality, seriousness, and humility, with 
which he examines the subject, and draws his conclusions ; 
and the baptismal engagement in no sense binds him to con- 
tinue a member of the church of England, contrary to his 
conscience. How then can the solemn league and cove- 
nant, sworn to in Scotland a hundred and fifty years ago, 
bind the present generation, or preclude them from the 
right of private judgment, and of searching the scriptures 
with an unbiassed mind, and with earnest prayer to be 
taught in all respects what the truth and will of God are ? 
In my opinion a more absurd notion never was held by 
wise and good men ; nor one more inimical to the real in- 
terests, or more injurious to the credit, of Christianity. 

'^ There are many things unscripturai among all parties ; 
but all staunch men will have it that they are right in every 
thing. — For myself, I continue where I am, because I do 
not know where to mend myself; and because nothing is 
required of me personally that is contrary to my conscience. 
I do not deem myself answerable for the sins of others, ei- 
ther in the same nation or the same churci^, except I ne- 
glect to do my duty in protesting against them, according to 
my opportunity, station, and call in providence : and I can 
here do something ; whereas, by engaging in such disputes, 
1 might do nothing, or mischief. — I am an episcopalian, but 
not ciprclatist. I like some things in the presbyterian, and 
some in the independent plan ; which I would adopt into 
my episcopal plan. Other things I disa])prove I see none 

(of the plans) to he jure divino ; and, till the Sj)irit be 

j)oured upon us from on highy outward forms will do little. 

14 



158 LETTERS TO [No. 

" I have written a long letter, though very busy. You 
must excuse incorrectness and plain language : and believe 
me to be^ dear sir, 

^' Your's very affectionately, 

" Thos. Scott.'' 

^P. S. The primitive church quietly did as they thought 
right, when permitted : and, when not permitted, as quietly 
did as they could, preferring suffering to sin, but suffering 
meekly. If rulers at any time favor spiritual religion, wo 
may avail ourselves of the sunshine : but we should prepare 
for storms. No laws can secure [the continuance of] spir- 
itual religion. — If a man act, or preach, or write contrary to 
his voluntary engagements, without declaring that he is 
convinced he was mistaken^, and without giving up the ad- 
vantages of his engagement ; he is deeply criminal. If this 
become common in a nation, it is a national sin. — Every 
departure from the faith is very criminal, not [simply or 
mainly] because of leagues, oaths, &c. ; but because it is a 
contempt of God and his holy word.'' 

" Chapel Street^ December 24, 1799. 

After detailing various circumstances respecting his Bible, 
and particularly concerning the copyright being claimed, or 
rather seized, by a person who had no shadow of right to 
it, which reduced him to the necessity of either commenc- 
ing a lawsuit, or printing on his own account, and abstain- 
ing from publishing for some years ;* he says : 

" As you mentioned the subject with apparent anxiety, I 
thought this statement would not be unwelcome. Though 
I deem myself treated with great injustice, and though 
thwarted in my favorite plans, with many unpleasant cir- 
cumstances, my mind feels peculiarly tranquil. I only wish 
to know my duty ; and I think I am ready to give up the 
whole, if convinced that I ought to do it : but every friend 
says I ought not. I pity the man whom the devil gets on 
his hook by the bait of my property ; and do sincerely pray 
God to give him repentance. But he is an antinomian hy 
principhy w^hich I regard as a hopeless character in gene- 
ral." 

*Life,p. 190. 



IX.] A FRIEND IN SCOTLAND. J 59 

<' Chapel Street, November 9, 1801. 
" DEAR SIRj 

" If you could see my course of life for one week, you 
would not wonder at my want of promptitude or punctu- 
ality in answering letters. Indeed I am .forced to decline 
all letter-writingj except what is absolutely necessary. I 
have undertaken a new edition of the Family Bible on a 
plan which, at the rate I now proceed, it will take me 
much above three years from the present time to accom- 
plish; and I have already been employed nearly a year 
and a half. I labor from morning till night every day, as 
far as other engagements will permit, and still I cannot 
keep before the printer. I am reluctant to let it go forth 
without such improvements as I can give it : and, if I ad- 
here to this, I must omit many other things till it be done ; 
and that is so long a season, that I scarcely can look for- 
ward to it. I hope, however, it is a good service, and I 
proceed in it generally with alacrity. Besides this I have 
this year had many interruptions : my continuance at the 
Lock is rendered very doubtful : I have been inducted into 
a small living in the country : and all his added to my en- 
gagements, which have overdone me 

" I shall always be glad to hear of you, or from you ; and 
rejoice in hearing of yoiJ> comfort and usefulness, which I 
pray may increase very much : and, notwithstanding what 
I said above, whenevei: you wish for my opinion on any 
special question, or when in any other way I can hope that 
my writing will be of service, I will readily break in on 
my engagements to write more copiously : but, circum- 
stanced as I am, you must in general be satisfied with 
short notes, and must be very long-suffering in respect of 
delays. 

• "With every good wish, I remain 
" Your sineerely affectionate 
" Friend and servant, 

"Thomas Scott.'' 

The edition of the Bible here referred to was that which 
lirst received the addition of copious marginal references. 
In a previous letter (of Sept. 1, 1800,) the author had said 
of it : " It cost me more time and labor preparing, than it 
did at first writing: but I trust I am laboring to good pur- 
pose, especially to render it in various ways more fit for 



l60 LETTERS TO [No. 

Students of divinity^ among whom it has even now some 
degree of notice. *^ 

*' Aston Sandfurd, July 22, 1803. 

"dear sir, 

"' My conscience has sometimes, my wife and daughter 
have often, reproved me for neglecting to write to you, 
and many a time have I resojved, or at least intended, to 
write, before I received your letter. But imagine to your- 
self a human being, neither very strong in heciith nor lively 
in spirits, sitting to study and write, when other urgent oc- 
casions will permit, at least eight or nine hours every day : 
interrupted by a variety of unexpected incidents ; engagi)d 
in a publication which, besides other consequences, if it do 
not succeed, must involve him and his family in many and 
great difficulties — and it cannot succeed unless diligently 
prosecuted, — it will not fail if it be : imagine this person 
quittmg a place where he lived many years ; building a 
house and making gardens in a perfect desert ; preparing 
to part with his fiock, and remove his family and furniture ; 
hurried by a thousand necessary engagements, and often 
unnecessary cares ; distressed because unable to proceed 
with his regular work ; having often forty letters by him 
unanswered, &c. : I will proceed no further ; but I say, 
imagine this, and plead my cause for not WTiting to you, 
when cordial friendship and good w^ill dictated, but no 
urgent necessity impelled : and, though you will doubtless 
bring me in guilty of a misdemeanor, yet I think you will 

not lay any heavy penalty upon me 

" I would readily give my attestation to the character 
and principles of you and your friends, were I asked : but 

I do not think that is likely Your Sunday schoolteachers 

are the very men that the ruling party choose to plague. 
They are ^jacobins,' in their esteem. If indeed they teach 
for hire, tliese men can understand it : and, as they dp not 
say the poor should not be taught, it is all very well. But, 
if they pretend to be disinterested, and tench for nothing, — 
*that is all pretence : human nature is not capable of this ! 
Reputation, power, consequence, the interest of a sect, or 
revolutionary principles are at the bottom ! Depend upon 
it they are jacobins, or will soon be such !' Thus men's 
hearts prompt their tongues ; and they cannot believe any 
man feels a nobler principle of action than they are con- 
scious of. I had leather in many companies in Englan<;l 



iX.l A FRIEND IN SCOTLAND. l6l 

advocate the cause of the patients in the Lock, nay the 
felons in Newgate, than that of your friends, whom I sin- 
cerely and cordially respect. But the tide has turned ; I 
have lost myself, as men say, because I will not turn with 
it. But it is in vain to go against tide and wind. Such a 
revolution has taken place, that if your zealous brethren can 
have exemption from persecution, I think they must thank- 
fully give up all thoughts of other exemptions, on account 
of such exertions as man despises, but God will not leave 
unrewarded. 

" As to myself I have got a little living, about my former 
income, not above seventy inhabitants in the parish besides 
my family. Yet my little church is crowded on the Lord's 
day ; I have more on the week day than I sometimes had 
at the Lock ; and I have no contention. I do not regret 
the change, but bless God for it ; and I think my sphere of 
usefulness enlarged. With my horse, mule, and garden, I 
and mine have some recreation ; and the poor regard us as 
their friends. — I was a warrior at the lock ; but I longed 
for peace. However I won every battle I fought. I chose 
my successor, in defiance of dukes and lords, and have left 
the charity in flourishing circumstances — the Hospital nearly 
2300Z. and the Asylum nearly lOOOZ. richer last Lady-day, 
when I quitted, than the Lady-day before, when I was cho- 
sen sole chaplain 

" I shall send you soon two or three copies of the Bible 
to the end of Job, and some of a funeral sermon for a most 
excellent parish minister in this neighborhood,* to be dis- 
posed of for the benefit of his destitute family. — My wife, 
daughter, and son unite in Christian respects and love, with 
your sincere, though negligent, friend and servant, 

" Thomas Scott." 



The ^^ revolution" in sentiment of which the writer 
here speaks, was a kind of revulsion unfavorable to liberty 
both civil and religious, which he conceived to have taken 
place since the time when multitudes had been led away 
by a misjudging partiality for republicanism and French 
principles.! — The " exemption" desired was, I presume, 
from Sunday drilling. 

♦ The Rev. J. Newell. X See above, p. 114, 

14* 



lC2 LETTERS TO [No. 

" Aston Saudford, August 20, 180i. 
" DEAR SIR, 

" We were all much interested and affected by 

your letter ; and, had I time and spirits I could either con- 
gratulate you or condole with you, (these often go togeth- 
er,) on the events you relate. Yet, on the whole, con- 
gratulation seems far the most proper. Your seasonable 
return before the war commenced is a mercy that you and 
]\Irs. will not soon forget. In any case, and espe- 
cially as you were situated, a residence in France for a few 
years, to say nothing of the treatment you might have ex- 
pected, would have been a serious calamity. But your 
account of the Lord's goodness to you in respect of your 
marriage, and the comforts of it, peculiarly calls for con- 
gratulation, or rather thankfulness. I trust yoii will have 
more and more cause to bless God on that account. An 
union of this kind, founded on religious principles, and ce- 
mented by a thousand reciprocal kindnesses year after year, 
grows more and more near, and is the source of the most 
rational satisfaction, and solace under trials, that this poor 
world can afford. Yet still 

*Thcy build tco low. v. bo build beneath tlie skies.' 

— Nor do I think even the decease of your honored father 
more a cause of condolence, than for congratulation. He 
lived creditably and comfortably. He honored the gospel 
which he professed, living and dying ; and is now joining 
the praises, and sharing the pleasures, of the church tri- 
umphant. And, as we and our^s must soon leave this poor 
world, with its few pleasures and many pains ; and as many 
pious persons have to mourn in respect of the souls of de- 
parted relatives, almost without hope ; so the peculiar cir- 
cumstances of youi trial require congratulation, as w^ell as 
the trial itself condolence. 

^' As to myself, I am far from well, though able to preach, 
and go on with my publications : and the nature of my com- 
plaint, (which is supposed to be something of the gout fly- 
ing about me, without coming to a crisis,) rather tends to 
depression of spirits ; so that I have not that courage, 
vigor, and alacrity, or strength of mind, which used to be 
considered as a part of my character, and of which I fear I 
have sometimes been proud. But no courage except that 
of faith, no sUength or joy, but from the Holy Spirit, can 



IX.] A FRIEND IN SCOTLAND. iGB 

he depended on.-— However, I keep up my spirits tolera- 
bly ; and sometimes rejoice that I have been enabled thus 
far to hold on my way, and prosecute my works, which I 
hope will be of some use when I am removed to another, I 

trust a better, state 

" My situation is very retired : but I have a considerable 
number of attentive hearers ; and I trust am useful in that re- 
spect : at least, I am more comfortably situated than ever be- 
fore. And, when I can leaye home to visit any of my breth- 
ren, I am sure of good congregations to attend my occasion- 
al preaching....... Should you be able to visit us, we shall be 

very glad to see you. Mrs. S. and my daughter unite in 

kind respects and every good wish to you and Mrs. , 

whom I pray God to bless, and make a blessing to you and 
many. " I remain, dear sir, 

'^ Your sincere friend and serv^ant, 

'' Thomas Sgott.'^ 



<* Aston Siindford, April 2, 1805.- 
"•DEAR SIR, 

^o,..,^'l HAVE occupied more. time and room on seculars 
than I intended ; yet I hope they have a subserviency to 
spirituals. In respect of your constant employment^ it is 
almost unavoidable in most situations : and in general it has 
its advantages as well as its disadvantages. It is a blessed 
thing to enter into the spirit of the apostle's exhortations, 
Not slothful in business ; fervent in spirit ; serving the 
Lord : Do all heartily as unto the Ltord^ and not unto men, 
I am persuaded that you may conduct your secular business 
in a spiritual frame of mind ; and that I may be very car- 
nal, even when writing, preaching, and praying, all the 
woek long. But it is good to be aware of our danger, and 
watchful over our hearts. We have not attained ; but must 
press forward^ lest we be carried backward. — I rejoice at 
the accession to your domestic comforts: and the satisfac- 
tion I have in my family makes me do it more feelingly. 

Yet these comforts must be attended with trials My only 

daughter has, for the greatest part of the winter, been con- 
lined by repeated attacks in the lungs, which threatened a 

consumption We must therefore commend them to our 

God by constant prayer, and endeavour to bring them up in 
his ways ; and then all will be well. — My second son leaves 
me to-morrow to receive ordinatioa. He is to be curate at 



164 LETTERS TO [No* 

a village close to Olney, where (at Olney) I was once cu- 
rate. Pray for him that he may be a faithful and useful 
minister ! I have good hope of it. — We all join in respects, 

and best wishes^ and prayers for you, Mrs. -^ and 

your family. 

'^ Your's sincerely, 

" Thos. Scott.'^ 

"Astou Sandtbrd, December 12, 1805. 

" So much for dull business : and, alas ! I have 

little time to add to it. — As a parent who has lost children, 
and felt keenly at the time, I can sympathize with you and 

Mrs. on the loss of your beloved child. But the 

Lord never errs, nor is ever unfaithful or unkind. I have 
no doubt of the salvation of infants, at least of those of be- 
lievers, who die before they commit actual sin : and it is 
worth all our labor, pain, and sorrow, to be instruments of 
God in giving being to an heir of heavenly happiness. — 
This is an affliction tempered with some sweetness : and 
the sweetness will remain, or increase, when the bitterness 
is past : and I think of my children that are gone before, at 
some times with almost as much pleasure as of those who 
are living. But the loss of a child, grown up, and living 
and dying in evil courses, is bitterness tempered with no 
sweetness, except submission to the sovereignty of the only 

wise God 

" We unite in Christian respects and prayers for you and 
your's. " I am, deai sir, 

" Your's afiectionately, 

" Thos. Scott." 



•^ DEAR SIR, 



Aston Sandford, January 7, 1807. 



'' Your account of the religious concerns of your 

congregation is very affecting : but, alas ! it is not at all un- 
like what is very common in this country. I was, howev- 
er, in hopes that superficial endowments had not borne ^6 
high a price in the northern, as in the southern part of our 

island I think that none (of our religious bodies) are 

quite scriptural in their rules and orders. Each has per- 
haps some advantages, and each some disadvantages A 

principle of disunion seems, however, interwoven with the 
independent plan, when carried to its full extent : and, as 
a variety of things may influence a majority, even of a rer 



IX.] A PEIEND IN SCOTLAND. ' l65 

ligious society? to make a wrong choice ; and are especially 
likely to have this effect when vital religion is not very 
flourishing ; there seems also a principle of declension ia- 
terwoven^ and none of recovery or revival. For, as reli- 
gion declinesj a superficial teacher will be more accepta- 
ble, and perhaps an erroneous one : and, when he is remo- 
ved, 'it is not likely that the majority will prefer a holy 
heart-searching preacher. So that revivals must arise gene* 
rally in some other way. 

" But how is it in the church of England ? Here I could 
say much : for certainly the manner in which ministers are 
appointed is not what could be wished. And I am of opin- 
ion that^ till men of every party will seek out what is un- 
scriptural among themselves, and acknowledge it, and use 
their influence (if they have any,) to alter it ; and also will 
consider what is scriptural among others, and allow it,- and 
propose it to imitation — instead of vindicating, right or 
wrong, all their own usages, and condemning all the usages 
of other companies ; not one step can be taken towards 
healing our divisions, or endeavoring to keep the unity of 
the Spirit J in the bond of peace, 

" Here in England the old strict diss^ting societies gen^ 
erally decline for a time, and often become Arian, &c. : but 
the removal of evangelical clergymen, v/hen such as are of 
opposite sentiments succeed them ; and the random and su- 
perficial, yet zealous and active, exertions of irregular or 
more lax dissenters, continually supply a great number of 
recruits. Sometimes they join old societies, become a ma- 
jority, and give a turn to their concerns ; and frequently 
they establish new meetings, rather congregational, but of- 
ten almost non-descript. . This is not a healthful state : but 

it is far better than death, — But enough of this 

" Begging an interest in your prayers, 
" \ remain, dear sir, 

^^ Your faitUfiil friend and servant, 

^' Thos. Scott.'' 

" Aston Sanclford, July 26, 1809. 
V DEAR SIR, 

'^ I ought to have acknowledged your's sooner : but I 
live in a perpetual hurry of engagements. I am emplayed 
daily from morning till night : and then my conscience re- 
|)roarhcs me for having neglected something that should es- 
j:)ecially have been done. I dream continually (though 



166 LBTTtRS TO [No. 

awake,) of some approaching time, when I shall overtake 
my work, have more leisure, and be more punctual : but the 
expected time arrives, and I am as hurried as ever. — Well : 
it is as well to do too much as too little ; to ruh out as to 
rust out, as the puritans used to say : and I have the. satis-^ 
faction of knowing that all my employmenjts are of a useful 
tendency^ and many of them actually useful. I hope that 
you will bear with my tardiness ; and I rejoice that there 
remaincth a rest — the Iceepvig of a sabbath — an eternal sab- 
bath — for the people of God — I have great reason to be 
thankful that my health is restored to about its former state ; 
and I seem as capable of labor as heretofore. I last Lord^s 
day performed the whole service three times ; preached 
about an hour each time, one with another ; performed 
some extra parochial duties ; and rode about eleven miles, 
without any peculiar inconvenience. Yet many things 
(such 'as Barzillai speaks of, 2 Sam. xix. 36,) remind me that 
I am old, and that I have not very long to continue, here. 
Pray for me that my last days may be the most useful and 

most comfortable 

^' I did not think of writing more than a few lines, when 
I began : but I seam conversing with an old correspondent, 
and write on without duly considering how little time I have 
to spare. — I hope and pray that you and your's may be the 
blessed of the Lord, and, though we are not likely to meet 
on earth, that we shall meet m a better world. 
" I remain, dear sir, 

^^ Your faithful friend and servant, 

" Thomas Scott.'^ 

*' Aston Sandford, December 14, 1811. 
'' DEAR SIR, 

^'I HAVE now sold the copy-right of the Bible, and 

nearly all the complete sets. I am to have £2000 for the 
copy-right : but even that, when paid, will not clear all my 
debts. But I have a considerable quantity of printed pa- 
per, which will gradually bring in something ; and at last, if 
we can say with good old Jacob when near death, God that 
fed me all my life long, the Angel that redeemed me- from 
all evil, bless the lads ! — bless our children and children's 
children ; and then add, as he does, I hare id ait ed for thy 
salration, O Lord ; no matter whether we grow rich, or be 
impoverished : all things are ours ; and we shall leave the 
blessing of God to our children — and how many tens of 
thousands of pounds is that worth ? 



IX,] A FRIEND IN SCOTLAND. l&t 

" You inquire after me. I am of an infirm and uncom- 
fortable state of health : and indeed, I never knew firm 
health long together in my life. Yet, bless God, at almost 
sixty-fivei, I am able to go through as much work, either in 
my study or the pulpit, as ever I did, except in moving 

from place to place I almost wish -; could have you 

for a patient under your nervous debility. Air and exer- 
cise, however, are the most universally successful remedies. 
Desks, and counting houses, and studies, and endless appli- 
cation, and anxious care, on the one hand, and indolence 
on the other, are the great sources of these maladies. Ex- 
cept in the depth of winter, I work as a labourer, two or 
three hours every day in my garden, to counterbalance the 
application of my study. Let nothing hinder you from 
using exercise to the very border of wearying yourself, and 
in the open air. This is my prescription : and no good 

physician will refuse to set his name to it 

'^ I am, dear sir, 

" Yours faithfully an^ affectionately, 

" Thomas Scott,'^ 



No. X. 

LETTERS TO THE REV. DR. RYLAND. 

1809—1819. 



" Aston San.drord, June 24, 1809. 
^* I SENT off two missionaries this week, who are going 
to Sierra Leone ; both excellent men, and one. of them of 
considerable lalents. He has married a wife of my con- 
gregation. Our parting, both in preaching and praying, 
in public and in the family, has been almost beyond any 
scene I ever witnessed. I cannot but hope that a blessing, 
in answer to the prayers of numbers, will attend them. — I 
have two more with me, most decided characters, who 
are studying Greek, Hebrew, Arabic, and Susoo, (do you 
not stare* at my talking in this manner ?) . with the express 
purpose of being qualified to translate the Scriptures, or 
part of them, into the African languages. I have devoted 
much of my tihie to this object ; excited to emulation by 
the examples of your missionaries in India You will re- 
member our conversations on the subject of missions at 
Northampton: and now, I think the close of my life is like- 
1}' to be especially devoted to promote that object, respect- 
ing which we then conversed and prayed. 

We have before seen his practical sympathy with one 
missionary institution, conducted by Christians of different 
denominations fr3m his own, under its losses ; the next let- 
ter will shew him acting a similar part towards another. 
It relates to the destruction, by fire, of the Baptist Mission 
printing establishment in the East Indies. 

'•' Aston Sandford, Oct. 5, 1812. 
" MY DEAR SIR, 

" I WRITE this in great haste, just to inform you that, 
immediately on receiving the affecting news of the calara- 



X.] REV. DR. RYLAKD. l69 

ity which has befallen your printing establishment at Se- 
rampore, I determined to address my little company on 
the subject; and to raise a small sum as a testimony of 
brotherly sympathy, and cordiality to the cause in which 
your honourable corps in the east is engaged. I perhaps 
flattered myself that my opening the way might induce 
others, even in the establishment, to do the same on a 
larger scale. — The subject, as involving so much concern- 
ing translations, languages, printing, &c. was not quite 
favourable to my efforts ; yet I obtained considerable atten- 
tion. The result however was not quite adequate to my 
expectation. I thought we should reach 20/. ; but we got 
only 15/. 6s. 7d, This I shall take care to pay into the 
hands of those appointed to receive such contributions, >. 
when I know who they are : but I thought that probablj*^ 
the information might be of some little use, and give some 
encouragement to expect assistance from every quarter; 
for it is the common cause of Christianity, and also of 
oriental literature — which some will properly appreciate, 

who, I fear, care little for Christianity Some delay to 

the attempts to give the inhabitants of the east the Scrip- 
tures, each in his own language, will be occasioned ; but 
depend upon it, as your correspondent Marshman expresses 
it, the devil will repent of having done it, as far as it was 
his doing : for I cannot doubt that, by exciting exertions 
among persons of different sentiments on our minute dis- 
puted points, it will tend to increase brotherly love, and 
make way for all striving together for the faith of the gos" 

pel with more combined efforts 

" Believe me, my dear sir, 

" Your sincere friend and brother, 

^'Thomas Scott.*' 



•' Aston Sandford, April 28, 1813. 
^' MY DEAR SIR, 

" I WAS from home attending the annual meeting of 
the Uxbridge Auxiliary Bible Society, by particular re- 
quest, when your letter arrived What I saw and heard 

there was truly animating, and led me to think that very 
great godd indeed will in England arise from this admira- 
ble institution. Two admirals spoke in a manner so genu- 
inely Christian, that I could not but admire it. Lord Gam- 
bier was in the Chair, and he closed the meeting with these 

15 



170 LETTERS TO [No. 

words, O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his 
goodness, and for his 7iwnderful works to the children of men I 
The other admiral was next under him in command at the 
bombardment of Copenhagen. He in a style of animated 
exhortation stirred up the large assembly, not only to con- 
tribute liberally, as a pleasure and a privilege, to circu- 
late the Bible ; but to study it themselves carefully, and to 
read it in their families, as the best bond of domestic har- 
mony. I thought at first he had been a preacher ; and I 
said to myself. If a preacher he is an uncommonly good 
cne. — The whole was pecularly animating and edifying.'^ 



" Aston Sandford, Dec. 3, 1814. 
" I DO most heartily rejoice in what your missionaries 
are doing in India. Their's is the most regular and best 
conducted plan against the kingdom of darkness, that mod- 
ern times have shewn ; and I augur the most extensive 
success. More genuine Christian wisdom, fortitude, and 
disinterested assiduity, perseverance, and patience appear, 
than I elsewhere read of. May God protect and prosper ! 
May all India be peopled with true Christians! — even 
though they be all baptists. If you read the Registers of 
our society, you will find that our prospects are opening 
both in India and Africa. I trust a similar plan of trans- 
lating and dispersing will soon be adopted in Africa, by 
some who were under my care. The Lord is doing great 
things, and answering prayer every where.'^ 



*' Aston Sandford, Jan. 9, 1815. 

'^ I HAv£ lately, and indeed for several years, bestowed 
a great deal of pains in reading various books in the Greek 
language ; and am certainly far more competent to speak 
on the subject of diminutives, &c." (such as $a<irri^o,) " than 
I was ; and in revising my note on Matthew iii, I will, 
should I be spared, take your criticisms also into considera- 
tion, and alter or soften whatever I may judge needs it. 
Further than this 1 cannot say." 

This I insert as a proof of the consideration, with which 
what appears upon the subject in the Commentary must be 
understood to have been written. 



X.] REV. DR. RYLAND, l/'l 

" Aston Sandford, Oct. 23, 1815. 
^^DEAR SIR, 

" I AM, like you, little at leisure for writing letters : 
yet I also often think of you, and of your situation, both 
in respect of your most important society, and of the in- 
terests of vital, holy, evangelical religion in your connex- 
ion. I hope you have many coadjutors ; but, except Satan 
be dead oi asleep, you must expect many opponents ; for 
every thing which either feeds the pride, or fosters the 
sloth or worldliness of human nature, will always, till the 
grand and universal pouring out of the Holy Spirit, be bet- 
ter received among men, even men professing Christianity 
and many particular truths of Christianity, than the hum- 
bling holy truth as it is in Jesus, But be of good cheer : 
3Iagna est Veritas et prcevalebit : or rather, as my poor folks 
at Ravenstone used to say, ' Well, after all, God is above 
the devil.' Go on and prosper, and strive earnestly for the 
faith once delivered to the saints^ and for the grand essen- 
tials of the gospel ; and, while less will be done than you 
perhaps once expected, more will eventually be done than 
at other times you supposed. 

" The tendency of the religion in London and its vicin- 
ity, among the evangelical body, is strongly towards anti- 

nomianism I do however think that in other parts, in 

our connexion, antinomian Calvinism is not the general 
danger : but rather such a shyness about Calvinism as 
greatly darkens the glory of the gospel. Yet still, most 
certainly, vital Christianity is far more deeply, and prac- 
tically, and widely inculcated by the clergy than it was 
thirty years ago....,.My thirty, and more than thirty years 
^ave been spent in opposing antinomianism and self-right- 
eous religion. The most permanent and extensive mearts 
has been and will be the Exposition : but I must soon take 
off my armor." 

I would here observe that in a letter of a later date, 
October 19, 1818, he, on the one hand, expresses a less 
favourable opinion of the views of many of the " Calvini^- 
fic evangelical clergy," and, on the other hand, considers 
^* scriptural principles as awfully exploded under the ohnox- 
ions name of CalmnismP 

'' Aston Sandrord, Aug. 12, 1819. 

^^ In respect of the new set of antinomians,* I have no 
4out)t from the self-conceited spirit that prevails among 

* Those who have been called Stceders. ^ 



172 LETTERS TO HEV. DR. RYLAND. [No. X. 

many of them, that the event will be in many a total de- 
reliction of evangelical and even of orthodox principles : 
but in a variety of ways and forms of heresy. I should 
think the book you mention is a mere refinement of Arian- 
ism ; if not somewhat nearer ' the frigid zone.' But, alas ! 
if one could smile, instead of weeping, one might smile at 
recollecting the words of the wicked author of Hudibras^ 

" As if religion were intended 
For nothing else but to be mended.' 

^^I never miss a day praying for your missionary 

society, as well as others ; and very often with an especially. 

I hope that God has graciously removed the sickness 

of your family : but it is a sick, and suffering, and dying 
world. May the Lord give us faith and patience and hope, 
that we may be ready when the summons comes, and in 
the mean time may do what ^\'e can- that others may have 
what we have learned and taught, worthy remembering, im 
remembrance after our decease P' 



No. XI. 

3IISCELLANE0US LETTERS. 

1796—1821. 



To the Rev, Robert Storry^ Colchester, 



ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF TIME. 



" Chapel Street, November 29, 1796. 
^^ DEAR SIRj 

" I SHOULD be glad to make my letter \vorth post- 
age by inserting in it any observations that were made on 
the way of dividing and spending time : but I fear I cannot 
ex promptu do much justice to the subject. It was gener- 
ally agreed that no man can lay down rules which &uit an- 
other ; so much depends on healthy circumstances, disposi- 
tion, and engagements :— that a man should not so lay down 
rules for himself as to bind himself to them at all events ; 
otherwise he may decline services to which he is called, 
because contrary to his rule ; set up his own will as to the 
disposal of time in opposition to that of God ; lose his tem- 
per when broken in upon ; and be tempted to harshness 
and unkindness to the distressed, whose case will not 
admit of delays. Our Lord suffered even his retired hours 
to be intruded on, and did not bid the people come at a 
more seasonable hour. — In order to divide time aright it 
must be redeemed : we must know its worth and importance ; 
and determine not to part with it but for a valuable consid- 
eration. A man should have his plan, though he should 
not either attempt to impose it on others, or bind himself 
too stiffly to it. Many arrangements in the family, and in 

15* 



174 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. [No, 

every branch of it, are necessary to procure the largest 
quantum of time to be divided ; and a man must know how 
to rule his own household , as well as to curb his own 
affections, who would not let time run to waste. Such 
visits as are not likely to produce benefit to ourselves or 
to others, or at least to obviate prejudice and prevent 
harm, should be shunned ; and yet it is sometimes well to 
lose a little time, as he would a little money, rather than 
give offence, and preclude ourselves from usefulness. The 
best hours of the day, and those least liable to ipterruption, 
should be chosen for devotion, meditation, and closer 
studies. One part of our duty should be made a recrea- 
tion from the weariness of another : especially conversa- 
tion and social intercourse, or such books as require com- 
paratively little attention. Gather up the fragments^ that 
7iothing be lost. Have some book at hand, or some em- 
ployment ready, for the odds and ends, the parentheses of 
time, which are generally wasted. As little time allotted 
to sleep and animal recreation, as serves to keep the body 
ia health, is of great use : but, where a man carries this 
further than his constitution will admit, because others 
have found that they could do what he attempts, he will 
in the event find it unfavorable to his grand object. In all 
cases the care of health and spirits, by air and exercise, 
^c. in moderation, is a valuable use of time, and should be 
considered in the division of it. — Upon the whole, some 
men ought to spend much time in their study ; others will 
do more good in going among the poor, or in visiting such 
as are willing to welcome instructions. Some ministers 
should allot much time to the study of their sermons ; oth- 
ers will speak most intelligibly when less elaborate, and 
may redeem their time for other purposes : but all ought 
to have stated times for searching the scriptures and prayer ; 
and to seize occasional opportunities for ejaculatory wor- 
ship in addition ; but not to depend on this latter practice, 
or be satisfied with it. — The man who loves money finds 
out how to get and spare it ; and he who wants to make it 
go far finds out how to divide it. We are the Lord's ser- 
vants ; and if we be employed as he would have us our 
time is rightly divided, though other rules be neglected. — 
I have only room to add that I remain yours very affec- 
tionately, 

^-Thos. Scott."* 



XL] MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. i75 

To the Rev. Basil Wood. 

" Aston Sandford, January 15, 1806. 
^' MY DEAR SIRj ^ 

" In respect to your first question, I find little dif- 
ficulty in answering, though not with the accuracy of a 
definition. I see nothing in your pamphlet* which does 
not accord with my views ; though, in speaking on repent- 
ance and faith, I seldom call them conditions or terms ; be- 
cause some object, and others misunderstand me, if I do ; 
and as the words are not found in the scripture, I make a 
shift to convey my meaning without them. But I have no 
doubt of these things being in a sober sense conditions j that 
is sine qua nons. In like manner I do not find the terms, 
covenant of redemption, or covenant of grace, in Scrip- 
ture ; and therefore I generally express myself in other 
words : though I do not at all object to the use of them by 
others, in the very sense which you mention. Should I 
try to be systematical, I should perhaps call the former 
• the covenant of mediation ;' the conditions of which Christ 
fulfilled, in order that he might be the Mediator of the nete 
covenant. This covenant (the covenant of grace, the ever- 
lasting covenant) is made with us individually, when we 
accede to it, and not before. (2 Sam. xxiii, 5. Isa. Iv, 3.) 
Christ is the one Mediator between God and man; the Father 
hath committed all things into his hands : and when we en- 
trust our souls to him the covenant is made with us. What- 
ever, in this respect, introduces election^ relates to the 
secret purposes of God, or to the secret transactions of the 
Father with the constituted Mediator. No doubt living 
faith is the gift of God, and the effect of regeneration, — 
and of the gracious purposes of God towards us : but the 
covenant is not ratified with us till we by faith actually ac- 
cede to it. By writing the law in our hearts^ from which 
true repentance, faith, &;c. spring, God makes his new cove- 
nant with us^ becomes our God and takes us for his people. 
This is my view of the question. (See Essay on the Me- 
diation of Christ.) I should say it is absolute in the prom- 
ise to Christ in behalf of the elect : for no promise is 
made to any as being elect, but as coming to Christ by 
faith.'' 

* Oq the Two Covenants. 



176 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. [No. 

To Thomas Cox, Esq.^ Derby, 

1814. 

^^ DEAR SIR, 

'' I AM greatly obliged by your kind order of books ; 
and I ought to be so for your favorable and too high opin- 
ion of me, expressed in emphatical language ; but I rather 
fear that such effusions, from the heart, I doubt not, of you 
and other friends, render thorns in the flesh , and messengers 
of Satan to buffet me, requisite to keep me from being ex- 
alted above measure. I often think that, if my friends 
really knew me, and all that which passes in my experi- 
ence from week to week, they would wholly change their 
sentiments concerning me. The longer I live the more I 
find that in me, that is in my flesh, or apart from special 
grace, dwelleth no good thing : and, were it not for a firm 
reliance on the mercy, the abounding mercy, of God in 
Christ Jesus, I could have no hope or comfort. — I trust 
however that I do honestly aim and desire to serve the 
Lord : and my confidence is this, I have hoped in thy mercy, 
and my soul shall rejoice in thy salvation, 

" I do not know how deep the sense of sin, and sorrow 
for it, ought to be in order to acceptance with God : but I 
always consider it in this view : There is a provision, and 
a proposal made to us, or to those who feel and acknowl- 
edge their need of it, and, submitting to God's righteous- 
ness, and renouncing all self-dependence, seek the mercy 
and grace of the gospel as their only refuge and remedy. 
Some perceive their guilt and danger, before they perceive 
distinctly the remedy : and these pass through much dis- 
tress and terror. Others are led to see the remedy as fast 
as they discover their need of it ; and they are gradually 
humbled without being much distressed or terrified. 
(Notes and Practical Observations on Luke xix, 1 — 10.) 
In respect of the degree of humiliation, and depth of the 
discovery of the evil of sin, and of our own sinfulness, 
which would be sufficient, and adequate to the cause 
there is for them ; I believe no man ever did yet expe- 
rience them so deeply as he ought : and that, the deeper 
views we have of the evil of sin, and of our own sinful- 
ness, and the more self-abasement, yea self-abhorrence, we 
actually feel in the sight of God ; the more just our esti- 
mate is, and the more proper the state of our hearts. This 



XL] MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 177 

many are convinced of as a sentiment, and, without intend- 
ing any hypocrisy, they adopt the scriptural language of 
the most eminent saints, as what they ought to feel, rather 
than what they do feel : and this sometimes tends to perplex 
their brethren, who are conscious that they cannot hon- 
estly adopt the same language. We ought indeed con- 
stantly to pray that we may be more and more deeply con- 
vinced of sin, and humbled before God ; and constantly to 
watch our own hearts, comparing them with the holy com- 
mands of God, and with the example of Christ ; and this 
will lead to deeper and more solid views of our real char- 
acter, and of the sinfulness of our nature : but we should 
also pray that our views of the unsearchable riches of Christ 
may be proportionable ; that dejection (which by no means 
adorns the gospel,) may not be connected with our humili- 
ation. If this process, so to speak, go on scripturally, we 
shall constantly grow more and more simply dependent on 
Christ, and ready to . answer every temptation to depart 
from him, with the words of Peter, Lord^ to whom shall we 
go ? thou hast the words of eternal life ; and with earnest 
prayers to be kept by the power of Gody through faith^ unt& 
salvation, 

" When you say. My mind is constantly roving after sin- 
ful objects, &c., I suppose you mean wandering and evil 
thoughts, which harass and distress you, but which you 
hate, and strive against, though not always successfully. 
This is the lamentation, I believe, of all who distinguish 
the prayer and praise of the heart from that of the lips : 
and I apprehend that Satan has often much to do in this, to 
discourage us from prayer. You will find my thoughts on 
.this subject in the notes on Psalms Ixvi, 18, 19 : cxix, 113 ; 
Matt, iv, 1—12 ; Heb. ii, l6 — 18. 

^' In compliance with your request I have written a few 
lines, but am far from attaching that importance to them 
which you speak of. — I remember an aged Christian said 

to me, I have served Christ years, and I never had 

any thing to find fault with but the servant. He is a good 
master, as you will know more and more ; and I pray God 
all your relatives may share your blessedness, for it is a, 
great blessedness to be a Christian indeed.'' 



17S MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. [No. 

To the Rev. G, Knight^ Harwell, Bcrks.^ 

'<• Aston Sandford, Main h 30, 1814. 
•'^MY DEAR SIR, 

"I RECEIVED from Mr. Maddock a scrap of a letter from 
you to hiiDj kindly iiiquiring after me^ &c. 

" As to the inquiries, I must only say, that I have been 
ill in the winter, but am now not materially worse. I go 
through with a great many employments ; yet always w4th 
lassitude and uneasy feelings ; and am little capable of lo- 
comotion in any way. 

" I ha\'e however abundant reason for gratitude for many 
and great mercies, of the least of which I feel myself 
wholly undeserving. You have probably heard that I was 
very much pressed with dilficulties in my temporal con- 
cerns ; and with debts, which for many years I struggled 
hard, with hope and constant disappointments, to clear off. 
These arose from various causes : the chief was, that in 
fact I tried to sell the Family Bible cheaper than it could 
be afibrded : and thus the rise in price of paper and print- 
ing, &;c., &c.^ ate up my expected profit, and caused debts 
to increase ; as I had too little of another kind to live upon. 
But this having become known by some intimations to one 
or two persons, so many in every part have, unsolicited 
by me, come forward to my help, that I am completely set 
at liberty ; and have enough remaing for my use as long 
as I shall need it, and more. You will help me to bless 
God for his mercies, and to pray to him for a blessing on my 
benefactors. 

" Mrs. S. desires to unite in kind remembrances to you 
and Mrs. K., praying our God to bless you and your's and 
to make you a blessing. 
'* I remain, 

" Your affectionate friend and brother, 

" Thomas Scott/' 

To a young Baptist Minisiery 

Who in transmitting the letter makes the following ob- 
servations : 

" I had been a resident in his house during a very dan- 
gerous and peculiar affliction, from November, 1812, to 



,XL] MISCELLANEOUS LETTEES, 179 

the latter end of March, 1813. Almost all that time I was 
confined to my bed, and my death was almost daily expect- 
ed for many weeks. If the family think fit to make any use 
of this letter, which I most highly prize, I shall he very 
happy in communicating it : if not, it may be some gratifi- 
cation to them to see this additional proof of the abiiost un- 
equalled excellency of the writer.'" 

" Aston Sandfortl, September 26, 1814. 
^* DEAR SIR, 

^' I OUGHT perhaps before this to have answered your 
letter ; but my engagements and infirmities combine to ren- 
der me a tardy correspondent ; except where dire necessity 
impels me. 

" If I or mine have been the instruments, in the hands of 
God, of restoring your health, and enabling you to return 
to your labors in the ministry ; and if by that ministry any 
of your fellow sinners be turned from darkness to light in 
the Lord ; we have a rich reward. But, besides this, our 
gracious God has, in many instances, and lately especially,* 
450 interposed for us in his providence, that I must be con- 
vinced he will not let me, or any of his servants, be losers, 
as to temporal things, by any work or labor of love of this 
kind. I shall always vaiue your prayers : and in my pres- 
ent declining state 1 much need them, that I may be strength- 
ened with all tnighi in the inner man^ to all patience and 
long-suffering with joy fulness^ thankfulness and hope ; and 
may run the last stage of my earthly course in a manner 
which may not discredit my former profession ; — for I feel 
rnyself very weak and cowardly. 

" If I should forget to pray for you by name, as it were, 
there is one petition in which you must be included, and 
w^hich I most days ofier — for all who have ever been under 
my roof, and have joined in our family worship ; for every 
blessing, which their services, trials, and temptations, ren- 
der needful. 

" What you say on the supposition (I hope well ground- 
ed) that our conduct respecting you was influenced by the 
grace of God given us, remijids me of a word which I once 
heard from Rowland Hill. Speaking of the loveliness of 
«ome characters influenced by Christian principles, he burst 
forth thus : ^ If a drop from the fulness of Christ be so love- 
Jy, what must that fulness itself be 1^ aad he went on foi* 

* S«e preceding leUer. 



180 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. [No. 

some moments, in the highest strain, I had almost said, of 
divine eloquence. — O si sic semper ! 

" May the Lord prosper you in your own soul, and to 

the souls of many ! 
*' I temain, 

'^ Your faithful friend and servant, 

'* Thomas Scott/* 

To the Editor, 
ON MARRYING A DECEASED WIFE'S SISTER. 

*•' Aston Sandtbrdj January 9, 1815. 
••DEAR JOHN, 

" I AM not willing that your letter should remain un- 
answered ; though I am not in frame for labor and thought 
to-day, having been much worn down yesterday, and greatly 
harassed by my cough. Not that I have any thing to say 
on the subject of it, which has not occurred to you : but, 
lest expecting something from me should occasion any de- 
mur as to the counsel to be given, and the measures to be 
adopted, in the interesting and affecting case which you 
state. I cannot but feel mtich for Mr. and all con- 
cerned ; but it appears to me that the first severe conflict or 
trial is the safest, and promises best for futm'e support and 
comfort. 

" When I wrote the first edition of the Commentary, I 
had no idea of the w^ork occupying the place which it now 
does : and I ihought questions of this kind, as requiring stu- 
died and rather labored disquisition, rather foreign to my 
design : and I have since been so cramped by want of time 
or roam, that I have not attempted any thing of the sort 
material in addition ; though I see and lament the deficien- 
cy in this, and several other particulars of a similar nature. 
I have, however, always considered the marrying of a 
wife's sister as contrary to the laws given by Moses, as well 
as to our laws : and in more instances than one have pre- 
vented it : once not less than thirty-three or thirty-four 
3^ears since, before I ever thought of writing on the Bible. 

" I was aware that our spiritual courts took cognizance 
of such marriages, and that sometimes very harassing effects 
followed from them ; but I was not aware that the penalties 
of the law were so very severe. Probably this, with the f 



XI.] JMiSCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 181 

oduim which may attach to informants who make a gain of 
such matters, may have disposed the public mind, or those 
concerned, to pass them over unnoticed. But the law is 
like a loaded blunderbuss, the lock of which is grown rus- 
ty : it may not easily be fired ; but, if it should, it may do 
dreadful execution : and I think nothing short of perempto- 
ry duty should induce a man to ex|3ose himself, and all dear 
to him, to such consequences, or to the continually alarming 
idea that he lives exposed to them. 

" But I am. also decidedly of opinion, that it is our duty 
to be obedient to every law of the government under which 
we live, which we can obey without disobeying God, what- 
ever self-denial it may require of us ; and that in refusing 
obedience we sin against God. Ye must needs he subject j 
not only for wrath^ hut also for conscience sake : and delib- 
erately to venture on an action, which cannot be recalled, 
ex})osing a man to the accusation of his conscience in future, 
is far from tending to the comfort of a person rather prone 
to dejection ; however it may seem at the present. 

'' I must also think that our law in this respect coincides 
with the divine law to Israel. If, notwithstanding the ex- 
emption of marrying the widow of a deceased brother, who 
died childless, the prohibition of marrying a brother's wid- 
ow be absolute, (Lev. xviii. l6.) I see not on what ground 
it can be otherwise than absolute that a woman should not 
marry the husband of her deceased sister. The case seems 
perfectly parallel ; the reasons entirely the same. In the 
case of a man not being allowed to marry his aunt ; whence 
our laws conclude,, that a woman ought not to marry her 
uncle ; some difference may be marked : a reversal in the 
superiority of relation takes place in the one instance, and 
not in the other. But even this cannot be urged in the case 
in point. 

" That these laws cannot be in all possible cases ^of moral 
obligation, must be admitted. It might be possible for a 
man and woman to be placed in the same situation as Ad- 
am and Eve, as to such matters. Yet still in all ordinary 
cases some laws of this kind are needful and highly benefi- 
cial : and, I apprehend, in all countries professing Chris- 
tianity more strict rules have been adopted, not only by le- 
gislators, but by missionaries and casuists, than were adopt- 
ed by the heathen : yet, St. Paul's language concerning him 
who had his father's wife implies, that the regulations of the 
more enlightened Gentiles on this subject were right. The 
16 



182 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. [No. 

only fault in nominal Christians has been extending the re- 
strictions be3^ond those in the divine law. — But, if we reject 
the laws in Leviticus, we have no law of God on the sub- 
ject ; no, not against marrying sisterS or brothers, or any 
relation. Now can we think that God intended to set aside 
these laws in Leviticus, and to give no other in their stead ? 
Can we suppose that he meant to leave the Christian church 
without laio^ in this most important matter ? But, if not 
without lawy the laws in Leviticus, in all general cases^, are 
in full force : and therefore, as a casuist, I must consider the 
intended marriage as contrary/ to the law of GocL The reg- 
ulations and permissions of ihe judicial'^ law about divorces 
and polygamy, being unsuitable to the more enlarged dis- 
pensation of the gospel, are particularly regulated by our 
Lord and his apostles ; when, therefore, as is the present 
case, no regulation is made, no intimation of change given, 
it must be supposed that the law continues in force. What- 
ever these laws are, they are not rituals^ ceremonies^ shad' 
ows of good things to come : so they do not pass away of 
course, as the ceremonial law did. 

'^ If one thinks of the present moment, the heart would 
be disposed to dictate a different decision than the head 
does : but, taking in all consequences, the heart comes over 
to the decision of the head. — Thou shalt not in any wise 
suffer sin on thy neighbor ; hut shalt love thy neighbor as 
thyself, (Lev. xix. 17; 18.) And I am* persuaded that, if 

Mr. is induced, from regard to the divine law, to cut 

off as it were the hand which would cause him to offend, he 
will ere long find that the Lord will, in one w- ay or other, so 
gupport and comfort him, that he shall rejoice in the pain- 
ful decision. 

'■' Last year at this time I was very ill, I am now only 
poorly. The rest as usual. May the Lord bless you all, 
and grant you a happy year, so I trust we all pray. 
^\ Your mo&t affectionate Father, 

" Thomas Scott. '^ 



It is not to be concealed, that I have felt considerable 
hesitation in giving this letter to the public, because of the 

* That is, the. law of the land among the Jews, a contradistinguished to the 
moT^i law of universal obligation. 



XI.] MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 183 

pain it must occasion to such readers as may feel them- 
selves concerned in its contents. If, however, the prac- 
tice against which it is directed be wrong, and erroneous 
views respecting it be also very common, tenderness for 
those who haVe fallen into it must not prevent our cau- 
tioning others. And accordingly I feel myself sanctioned in 
printing the letter, by the writer's having fully approved of 
my sending, at the time a paper, containing the same senti- 
ments, to a respectable periodical publication. 

That the practice is wrong, and utterly unwarrantable 
for us, at least, on the grounds stated in the third and fourth 
paragraphs of the letter, none surely can deny, even though 
they should be unwilling to admit the general conclusion 
against it from scripture — which, however, it does not seem 
easy to set aside. 

The principle of our laws appears to be this : That in 
the Levitical laws ' all the degrees by name are not ex- 
pressly set down ; for the Holy Ghost there did only de- 
clare plainly and clearly such degrees, from whence -the 
rest might evidently be deduced. As for example, where 
it is prohibited that the son shall not marry his mother, it 
followeth also, that the daughter shall not marry her 
father.' And by this parity of reason the case before us is 
determined. Leviticus xviii, l6, and xx. 21, forbid a man 
to marry his brother's wife (i. e. widow) : therefore, it is 
inferred, a woman is not to marry her (late) sister's hus- 
band: for a woman stands precisely in the same relation to 
iier sister's husband, that a man does to his brother's wife. 
The words of Bishop Jewell, in his printed letter upon this 
point, are as follows : ' Albeit I be not forbidden by plain 
words to marry my wife's sister, yet I am forbidden to do 
so by other words, which by exposition are plain enough. 
For, when God commands me that I shall not marry my 
brother's wife, it follows directly by the same, that he for- 
bids me to marry my wife's sister. For between one man 
and two sisters, and one woman and two brothers, is like 
analogy or proportion.' 

It is well known, indeed, that there was a case (alluded 
to in this letter, and the same on which the Sadducees pre- 
tended to found an argument against the resurrection of 
the dead,*) in which a man was even required by the ju- 
dicial law of the Jews to marry his brother's widow. But 

* Luke Kx. 27, &ic. 



i84 MlSCEi.LAN£OUS LETTERS. [jXo. 

the reason assigned, and all the circumstances of the case, 
have induced commentators pretty generally, I believe, to 
conclude, that this was an exception from the general rule, 
made for the Jews only, and designed to keep their geneal- 
ogies unbroken, and their inheritances in the same line.-:— 
Leviticus xviii, 18, has also been adduced in the argument: 
but it is very obscure, and the reader may be referred to 
my father's commentary upon it. 

With regard to the ' penalty' of the law,— such marriages 
are pronounced incestuous, and are liable at any time dur- 
ing the life of the parties to be declared void, and the issue 
of them illegitimate : and, if I am not misinformed, the in- 
stances are neither few nor remote in which this has taken 
place. It seems also that any clergyman knowingly cele- 
brating such a marriage, or being present at it, is subject 
*'to be suspended from his ministry for three years, and 
otherwise to be punished according to the law^s.' — See 
Burn's Ecclesiastical Law, Article, Marriage, Title 1. : and 
Blackstone, b. i. c. XV. 



To J". JB., Esq., Vxhridge. 

Aston Sandford, July 24, 1815. 
•• SIR, 

" If there were the least prospect of one letter sisttlin^ 
your mind on the subject of your last, I should (though 
quite overdone with engagements,) not decline the service: 
but volumes after volumes, for a long course of years^ 
have been found inadequate to decide the point in contest ; 
and to engage in such a controversy privately^ as I could do 
little in publicly, would be useless. 

" I am as much dissatisfied with Mr. 's arguments as 

you are, and was sorry that he engaged in the controversy : 
and I know no book that I can recommend as satisfactory 
on either side of the question. The dissenters constantly 
charge on us, what is not true, as to oaths, &c. In a pam- 
phlet called ^ The Evils of Separation from the Church of 
England,' published in Ireland, by the Rev. Peter Roe^ 
Kilkenney, (sold by Seeley and Hatchard, London,) you 
will find thirty pages of my writing* on some of the great 

* Since increased to ninety-seven pagf s. See second edition, or ScotTs 
Works, vol. ix. 



XL] MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 185 

outlines of the argument ; as well as the thoughts, moderate 
and candid at least, of several very pious clergymen, espe- 
cially ia Ireland. The object indeed is, to preserve men, 
already clergymen, from quitting the church at the instiga- 
tion of the followers of Messrs. Haldane ; and many of the 
statements do not accord to the case of dissenters among us ; 
of whom there seem not to be many in Ireland. 

" One thing you will observe on my part of this pam- 
phlet, namely, that I do not presume that all is exactly as 
it should be in the established church; but that I can find 
no other church, or company, where all things are exactly 
right, or by joining which I could improve my situation, 
or be more at liberty to act conscientiously in my ministry. 
This will lead you to conclude that I am not disposed, or 
prepared, to defend every thing in the church of England ; 
but only to shew, that a minister may officiate and labour in 
the establishment conscientiously and usefully, without be- 
ing required to do any thing which he regards as unlawful ; 
tJiat is, with the views which I have of Christianity, and of 
the ministry. 

" You will observe, that the assent and consent to the 
whole of the prayer-book is required only of those who are 
instituted to benefices ; and a man may officiate as a curate, 
&c., all his life, and never be called to make this strong 
and decided profession ; to which I can only be reconciled 
by the consideration, that it by no means is supposed to 
imply putting the prayer-book on the footing of the Bible ; 
and by reflecting that many things are wrong every where. 
But I wish it were done with. 

'' I cannot but think that further study, and careful ex- 
amination of the words of our articles, would obviate your 
objections to subscription, in a general sense. Some hints 
in the pamphlet n^entioned, as to the human authority ob- 
jected to by dissenters, may be worth consideration. — Sub- 
scription to the articles is not required by those who enter 
at Cambridge ; nor till they take a degree. 

" I think the objections made to the Burial Service, (by 
those who think ministers have any thing officially to do 
with burying the dead,) are ill grounded. The persons 
buried are unexcommunicated members of the church of 
England ; at least professed Christians ; ' such as laid vio- 
lent hands on themselves' are excluded ; and in many pe- 
culiar cases a clergyman might, without much censure, re- 
fuse to officiate. * We commit the body to the ground ia 

16* 



186 MISCELLANEOUS LfiTTEKS. [iNo^ 

sure and certain hope/' (not of his or her resurrection to 
eternal life, but) in general ' of the resurrection to eternal 
life through our Lord Jesus Christ;^ while in all the rest 
the pronouns are expressly appointed and marked. We 
bury a professed Christian, in sure hope of the resurrection 
of all true Christians to eternal life ; leaving the individual 
to the judgment of God, with only a general hope respect- 
ing him — ' as our hope is this our brother doth.' And, in 
what ordinary cases would we say, I have 7io hope, — As to 
the word ' brother,' or • brethren,' the apostles used it res- 
pecting the persecuting Jews : and shall we object to it iil 
respect to a professed Christian ? 

^' I am not prepared to say so much of the objections to 
some expressions in the Baptismal Service, or in the Office 
of Confirmation : but uhi plurima nitent, (^'c* I expect 
viaculcB every where. — I cannot see the second answer in 
the Catechism to be so objectionable.t The sacraments 
must be vighily receivech as well d.s xigtiily administered : 
they are doubtless means of grace ; and, if circumcision 
was the seal of the righteousness of faith ^ why are not our 
sacraments pledges to assure him, who r ghtly receives them, 
of the inward and spiritual grace ? 

" But I desist : I feel no eagerness to induce you to pre- 
fer the establishment. In the present state of things, pious, 
zealous, apd laborious dissenting ministers, (if not bigoted, 
censorious, and political,) as well as pious clergymen, are 
much wanted, and may be very useful. I question whether 
3' our previous habits, &c. will not make our armor to you 
like SauFs to David. Were you a clergyman, I should 
bestow more pains to keep you among us. — There are some 
expressions in Mr. N. which I should object to, as you do : 
but, if you mean the remark of justification by faith ordijy 
not by faith alone j with reference to our article ; it is so ex- 
pressed, as to be really unobjectionable. — Unless some spe- 
cial reasoii require it, I must beg to decline further interfer- 
ence. Spare my worn-out age ! — May God direct and 
prosper you ! make you blessed and a blessing ! 
" I am, your's faithfully, 

" Thomas Scott.'^ 

* Where so many things are excellent, I am not disposed to take offence 
at a few imperfections.' 

+ See John, xv, 2, Matt»\iii, 2, for the latitude with which scripture uses 
such terms^ 



Xl.j iMISCELXANEOUS LETTERS. 187 

On this letter a few brief observations may be made. 

1 . With respect to the declaration of " assent and con- 
sent'^ to the prayer-book, there can be no doubt of the 
justness of the remark here made, that it certainly is not 
meant to put that book on the same footing with the Bible. 
And it is no unimportant remark, in considering the real 
import of the declaration. — Further, it is expressly stated 
in the act itself to be " to the use of all things'^ contained 
and prescribed, that the assent and consent are required : 
that is, I presume, that they may be lawfully used, and that 
the person will himself use them. — No such declaration, 
however, was deemed necessarv till after the restoration of 
Charles II. 

2. With respect to the expressions referred to in the 
Baptismal Service and the Office of Confirmation, it should 
be remembered, that the persons who engaged in the con- 
troversy against certain represerdations of the doctrine of 
baptismal regeneration never denied, that some things in 
the formularies of the church, taken alone^ might seem to 
support the representation which they opposed : but they 
maintained that, when those parts were interpreted by 
comparison with the Articles, Catechism, and other didac- 
tic writings of the church, and the whole taken together, it 
clearly appeared that such was not her doctrine. 

3. On the general and just principle of the letter, that 
perfection is not to be expected, and that, where the mass 
is excellent, we ought not ta be impatient under a few lit- 
tle things that might be improved, or that may even be 
thought objectionable ; I would add the remark of an intel- 
ligent, and I believe really liberal minded, dissenting min- 
ister — one, but not the only one, of that class, who ex- 
pressed to me a conviction, that baptismal regeneration, 
in the ohno^imm sense of the term^ had been proved not to 
be the doctrine of the established church. He said : — " If 
your church is not to be assailed successfully upon general 
grounds, as an establishment, as requiring subscriptions, &c. 
&c., I shall be ashamed to attempt it upon the ground of 
particular expressions that may seem objectionable. I am 
so sensible of the excellence and superior character of 
your liturgy, that I feel we should be very impolitic thus 
to provoke a comparison of our own services with it, 
which must from their nature be liable to so many more 
'imperfections.'^ 



IBS MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. [No, 

T'o a Lady. 

ON THE SIN AGAIJ7ST THE HOLY GHOST. 

«< Astou Sa;idforcl, March 18, 1816. 
^' DEAR MADAM, 

" 1 SHOULD have been extremel}' surprised at receiving 
a letter from you, had I not had a previous intimation that 
perhaps it might be so ; but I still wouder that, connected 
and situated as you are, you should consult me : but per- 
haps you think that, at least, I shall be more impartial than 
relative affection might allow some others to be. I shall 
however make no demur at answering your inquiries in 
the best manner I am able ; though your desire to receive 
an early answer, connected with the time that a letter ta'e^ 

in making its way hence to , gives me less leisure 

for deliberation than might have been desirable. But I 
pray God to direct me to those thoughts which are suitable 
to the case, and which he may bless to the healing of your 
wounded spirit. 

" Had I received the letter from a perfect stranger in all 
respects, I should have answered your main and most aw^- 
ful question without hesitation in the negative : but what 
3'ou state of yourself in past years is so simple, and has 
such internal evidence in it of being genuine, and so ac- 
cords to what I suppose to have been fact ; that, joined 
with some other circumstances, it frees my mind from any 
prevalent doubting, not only as to that main question, but 
as to your sincerity in 3^our present profession of repent^ 
ance, faith, and love to the ways of the Lord. 

'• But I will first state my reason for decidedly judging 
that you have not sinned the sin against the Holy Spirit. 
I need not inform you what the judgment of the best the- 
ologians is on that unpardonable sin : bat I would remind 
you that, whatever it be, it is a crime committed delihcrately 
against conscience and conviction, from malignant enmity 
against the truth as it is in Jesus : such as was shewn by 
Caiaphas, and the Pharisees, scribes, and priests in our 
Lord's tune, and after his resurrection ; and by some apos- 
tates, as Alexander the copper-smith. — Again, it is a sin 
which they who have committed can never repent of. It 
is impossible to renew them to repentance, (Heb. vi. 6.) 
When the Apostle exhorts Timothy to instruct in meekness 



XI.] MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 181' 

those who oppose themselves^ he adds, If peradventure God 
will give them repentance. (2 Tim. ii, 25, 26.) The per- 
adventure is concerning God's giving them repentance, not 
concerning the forgiveness of the penitent. The blood of 
Christ cleanses from all sin : but it cleanses none except 
the believer. It is sufficient for ail sin ; would be for this 
sin also, if it were possible for those who have committed 
it to believe with a true faith. (Of your case in this re- 
spect a few words presently.) — I therefore state the mat- 
ter thus. No sin can be pardoned but to the penitent and 
believing : every sin is pardoned to the penitent and be- 
lieving : and none who repent and believe can possibly 
have committed that sin ; because they who have commit- 
ted it are always given up to impenitence and unbelief^ 
fe^ither in total desperation, (a very rare case,) or in daring 
presumption, or in careless insensibility. Now your letter 
is no more like any of these, than ' sensibly alive all o'er, to 
smart and agonize at every pore,' is like death or mortifi- 
cation. — Our Lord's words are very strong on another sub- 
ject. Whosoever shall deny me before men^ him will I also 
deny before my Father who is in heaven : (Matt, x, 32.) yet 
Peter thrice denied Christ, and with oaths and execrations ; 
but it was not of deliberate wickedness^ and it was not per- 
sisted in : he repented, and was pardoned and restored. 
However our Lord's threefold question, about his love of 
him, was afterwards a cutting and grieving rebuke of Peter's 
threefold, though unpremeditated and deeply repented denial 
of him. (John xxi, 15 — 17.) 

" One word more of the few who are hardened in de- 
spair. I believe I once knew one : but, while he had 
health, he desperately employed himself as a tempter of 
others, especially to impious contempt and opposition to 
the gospel ; and, when he lay a dying, the very mention of 
mercy, or of the love of Christ, or the attempt to pray 
with him, urged him to rage, and almost blasphemy. Did 
he, or do such, seek earnestly, wait, pray, persevere un- 
der discouragement, &c., as you describe your case and 
conduct ? No : it is not the dejection of fear, remorse, 
tenderness, self-abasement, cries for mercy, intreating the 
prayers of others, trembling for fear of presuming, shew- 
ing active love to the cause and people of God, more than 
before : no, it is diabolical despair and enmity. What have 
I to do with Jesus ? Let me alone , Torment me not. — But 
j^Mch cases are extremely rare. — In short, I am of opinion 



I9Q MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. [No^ 

that not one of the many tremblinfr soiils, who fancy they 
have committed this sin, can possibly have committed it ; 
and that they who are given up, as Ahab. and Pharaoh, 
and many others in various ways, to final hardness, scarce- 
ly ever suspect it ; but often rage and are confident, (Prov. 
xiv, 16.) — I consider nothing in the case you state of the 
horrid thought suggested to your, mind, and for the mo- 
ment, as it were, welcomed, as peculiar, except the 
"strangeness of the thought. . 13ut temptations follow teni- 
pers ; and youi* reasoning mind, and proneness to nervous 
affections, and a degree of melancholy, united to open the 
way to this peculiar idea. I can, however, easily conceive 
it to have been suggested to the purest mind of man : and 
in all mere men the enemy has a party : none could ever 
say, The tempter cometh and has nothing in we, except the 
holy Jesus. If then suggested to the holiest mind of an 
imperfect man, it might possibly find some combustible to 
kindle on, and a transient sort of consent to it might take 
place. If the mind were in a very vigilant state, it would 
however be soon quenched by faith, and abhorred decided- 
ly : but, if the mind were unwatchful at the time and 
afterwards, it might be forgotten, and thought little of till 
something called it to remembrance ; when perhaps it 
might make way for a series of temptations of another 
kind. But, if it had arisen in a mind capable at the time 
of the desperate enmity of deliberately and perseveringly 
ascribing the miracles of love, wrought by the holy Jesus, 
to Beelzebub, &c. it would not have lain dormant ; but 
would have excited you, as it did those who did this to 
desperate acts of enmity to God, and his cause, and people : 
for the crucifixion of Christ, and the persecution of his 
apostles, were only carrying the same disposition, which 
those sentences expressed^ into action ; and Alexander the 
coppersmith did much evil to the apostle and his helpers : 
and all, I apprehend, of such apostates are disposed to do 
this, though sometimes restrained. — Were all the most 
eminent servants of God to relate all that has at some 
times passed through their mind ; each would have to 
adduce something of a similar kind: but in general such 
things cannot be published. John Bunyan (who doubtless 
was a sterling character,) was long harassed, and almost drj- 
ven to despair, by something very similar ; as he has stated 
m his ' Grace abounding to the chief of Sion^r$«' 



Xl.j MlSC:fcLLANEOttS LETTERS. IQl 

" Upon the whole^ nothing can be this sin, which is tran- 
sientj insulated J not persisted in, repented of^ and deplored, 
as this and other things in your life past evidently are : at 
leastj so it is in my judgment. 

^' In respect of the candid and open account you give of 
the past ; I might give it as my opinion that there was triie 
grace producing in part its effects^ but born down by vari- 
ous inward and outward circumstances ; and I must own it 
led me to reflect on many things in myself^ with shame 
and sorrow. Perhaps I might almost adopt Bunyan's 
words, and say, there was ' no betterment betwixt us :' but 
your's has been peculiarly a perilous situation. The at- 
tentions paid on personal and relative grounds have been 
of an ensnaring tendency : whereas my unpopularity in 
town rescued me from many snares. — I do not however 
think that it is at all necessary for you to determine as to 
the past, or expedient to attempt it. I am satisfied of 
this, there is nothing in the past to exclude you from now 
finding mercy : and, though the Lord may see good to make 
you wait for comfort, as he has long waited to be gracious ; 
only persevere, and the opening of the xiith of Isaiah will 
ere long be your joyful song. — When you say, ' I long for 
his salvation, deliverance from the power of sin, &c.j and, 
from a grateful love to my deliverer, to give myself up to 
his service without reserve, and to live no longer to myself j 
^•c.' you speak the language of genuine lively faith, though 
you seem to think you have it not : but you mean the joy 
and comfort of it, or the assurance of hope. You express 
exactly the faith of adherence ; and he that longs, and 
mourns, and waits, and prays, as truly believes as he who 
exults and rejoices. In short, you must go on to sow in 
iears^ that you may reap in joy. 

" As to your question about the Lord's stipper ; I should 
give it as my opinion, that you never were in a frame of 
mind more suited to a due commemoration of the Saviour's 
dying love than at present ; and that it is not unlikely that, 
while in deep self-abasement, and entire reliance on his 
atonement and grace, yet with tears and trembling, j^ou 
wait on him in his own appointed way, your burden may 
be removed, or at least may be lightened. — But here you 
have counsellors on the spot whose judgment you may 
safely rely upon. — In respect of what I said before, I 
would add, that I have lately thought that we all, who can 
afford it; have too much given into a sort of mcjtsured self- 



19^ MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. [No. 

indulgence ; that I have been much led away with it ; and 
should both prescribe other rules to myself, and enforce 
them on affluent professors of the gospel, if my time were 
to be spent over again, — I trust I shall not forget to pray 
for you, and I hope I shall have to join in praising the Lord 
for you. If it would be any relief I shall readily answer 
another letter. 

" I remain, dear madam, 

'' Your sincere friend and servant, 

" Thos. Scott.*" 

To a Clergyman, 

ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE LORD^S 
SUPPER TO THE SICK. 

'^ Aston Sandford, August 22, 1817. 
^*REV. AND DEAR SIR, 

" That part of your letter which refers to the spirit, 
and manner, and earnestness of heart with ^hich you visit 
the sick and dying, requires no other answer than an ex- 
pression of my full approbation, and a prayer that you may 
be assisted and directed from above to accomplish your pious 
and benevolent purposes with the happiest effects. 

'' I can also easily suppose that the young woman's 
mother might, on the subject mentioned, speak in a manner 
by no means proper or respectful : many allowances must 
be made for her, both from her station and habits in life, 
and from some particulars in her views of the gospel. If 
iiowever she spake in a manner which Moses could hardly 
have borne without speaking unadvisedly with his lips ;' I 
doubt not but you recollect that, notwithstanding the provo- 
cation which Moses had received, he was warned by the 
rebuke of God that he needed repentance and forgiveness, 
and prayer for still more meekness and patience : and that, 
though he harshly called the people rebels^ (as indeed they 
were,) yet he never afterwards, on that account, relaxed 
in his work and labor of love^ for their good, even to the 
end of his life. You will recollect also that Samuel, when 
the people very injuriously and contemptuously refused to 
Jet him any longer rule over them, yet was still ready to 
teach tliem, and pray for them. In this view I should ad- 
vise you to visit, talk to, and pray with the sick young 
woman as usual, omitting, unless mentioned by her or her 
parents, the further urging her to receive Xhe Lord's sup- 



\ 



XI.] MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 193 

per. I suppose Mr. has visited her occasionally 

for a long time. I should not notice it, if he thus visited 
one whom I also visited. 

"But the main subject of your letter yet remains ; and in 
respect of that 1 apprehend that my views are something 
circumstantially J at least, different from your's. Many, 
indeed all dissenters, or nearly, with evangelical church- 
people who have been a good deal among them, consider 
the Lord's supper as so exclusively a public ordinance, as 
to think the administration of it in a sick-room altogether 
improper and superstitious. But I do not go so far on that 
side, as these do : and I see no reason why one who had 
before been an approved communicant, when confined to 
a sick-room, may not, with three or four fellow Christians, 
commemorate his dying Lord as well in his chamber as at 
the church ; or why one whose repentance and faith are 
satisfactorily evidenced, though not before a communicant, 
may not in such circumstances for the first time receive 
the Lord's supper with acceptance, profit, and comfort. 
Where two or three dre gathered together in my name there 
am I in the midst of them : and the Lord's supper was in- 
stituted in a private room, not in a place of worship. Still, 
however, I am decidedly of opinion that the administering 
of the Lord's supper in private to sick and dying persons, 
and especially urging them to receive it, as if a matter, 
in their circumstances^ of special importance, is of most 
injurious and often fatal effect ; particularly to those whose 
first religious convictions and impressions appear during 
their sickness. In their case, the grand object should be 
to lead them to rest all their hope of mercy and salva- 
tion, in a scriptural manner, on the right foundation, Christ 
crucified, by humble penitent faith alone ; and to guard 
them against every species of false confidence. Now to 
persons of this description, whose knowledge and experi- 
ence must be small, no danger seems to me so imminent, 
tis that of mistaking a reliance on the outward and visible 
sign of salvation, for the thing signified under that out- 
ward sign and seal : and I cannot doubt that, even among 
protestants, (not to say papists, for it is the grand delusion 
of popery,) thousands and tens of thousands, after a life of 
ungodliness, get a false peace and confidence in their dying 
hours, by receiving the Lord^s supper, and so trusting in 
the sacrament instead of receiving Christ, and trusting in 
him by simple humble faith alone. Nor can I doubt that 



rj4 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. [No. 

the general visiting of the sick, and administering the 
Lord^s supper indiscriminately to all who desire it, and 
pressing those who do not, (however well intended,) is 
productive of awful consequences in a vast proportion of 
instances (could we penetrate the veil and see them) in the 
deceased : while it leads the survivors to think that a life 
of religion is not necessary to a peaceful death : that they 
have only at last to send for the clergyman, and receive 
the Lord's supper, and all will be well. ^Observe,' say 
they, ' how comfortable such a one was, after he had receiv- 
ed the sacrament, and how happily he died V 

" I am always, in visiting the sick who have not been 
before decidedly pious, far more afraid of their being over- 
confident and comfortable, than of the contrary : as I know 
(in former years long past,) by experience^ and have long 
learned by observation^ that it is comparatively easy to ren- 
der a man who knows little of God, of himself, of the evil 
of sin, and of the nature of conversion, quiet at the ap- 
proach of death : but this is the ease of mortification or 
death, not of health. I have therefore never, I believe, 
for the last forty years, proposed to a sick person, who 
had not before been a communicant, or considered as a 
proper person to become one, to receive the Lord's sup- 
per : and in nineteen instances out of twenty I have evaded 
it, when desired by them, and in very few instances been 
induced to comply, when not myself fully satisfied that the 
person was a true penitent believer : and on those few in- 
stances I look back wiili recrret. I had rather a hundred 
true penitent believers should leave the world without the 
sacrament on a death-bed, than that one improper person 
should receive it from my hands. 

" To remember the dying love of Christ, in this institu- 
tion, is indeed a duty ; but not, as justice and mercy are, an 
immediate duty of all men. All ought indeed to believe ; 
but, till a man does actually believe, receiving the Lord's 
supper is so far from a duty, that it is a very heinous sin ; 
(as the offices of our church fully declare :) and to a man 
who himself has not reason to conclude that he is a believ- 
er it is no duty, till, having examined himself whether he he 
in the faith, he becomes in some degree satisfied on that 
point. And if, on a sick-bed, either he or his pastor re- 
main in hesitation on this point ; it is better to exhort him 
to put his whole trust and confidence in the blood, and 
righteousness, and grace of Christ alone, crying for mercy 



XL] MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 195 

with his dying breath, than to risk the danger of leading 
him to a false confidencOj and so spediking jpeace^where there 
is no peace, 

" I am persuaded, from the language of 3^our letter, that 
you do not go on that broad general ground, respecting the 
pressing or administering of the sacrament, which has been 
described : but yet you speak in a manner which seems to 
indicate, that increasing comfort and hope were the objects 
to be aimed at, and the blessings especially to be expected 
in performing this duty ; without expressing any fear of an 
ungrounded confidence and hope : and therefore I have ta- 
ken the liberty, which you will excuse, of stating my views 
to you. — The blessings to be expected, by a due receiving 
of the Lord's supper, are increase of faith and grace : but, 
without previous repentance and faith, it cannot be duly re- 
ceived ; and he, who has true repentance and faith, will be 
assuredly saved, whether he receive the Lord's supper or 
not ; nay, even if his own error or fault, or the improper 
counsel of a minister or parent should prevent it. And, 
though God is not limited, it is not once, either in scripture 
or by our church, considered as a converting means of grace. 
Receiving the Lord's supper is making a profession of thos© 
things in which genuine Christianity consists. It is saying, 
^ I believe that I am that lost sinner who must have perish- 
ed if Christ had not come to save the lost : I believe him to 
be the Son of God ; and that his blood, shed in immense 
love to lost sinners, is an all-sufficient atonement : in this 
persuasion, I repent of all sin, renounce all other confi- 
dence, receive Christ as my Saviour, ' feed on him in my 
lieart by faith with thanksgiving,' yield myself to his ser- 
vice, and join m3^self to his people, &c. : and, in avowing 
this at the Lord's table, I avow that I put no trust in that 
act of obedience ; but offer it as ^ a sacrifice of thanksgiving, 
acceptable only through his sacrifice of atonement as signi- 
fied by it.' Now these things are tliose which accompany 
salvation insepara])ly, whether the sacrament be received 
or not. Numbers think that the public congregation is the 
only proper place of making this profession ; and all must 
think that this is the moi^t ])roper place. Now, if a person 
could, with humble confidence before God, make this pro- 
fession ; and would do it, if he could go to the house of 
God; yet should continue to tliink, to the end of life, that 
the privacy of a sick-room did not suit it ; or that tlie pub- 
lic hoFior to Christ, and edifying example to his jicighborSj 



196 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. [N©r 

in making it, were at least as much or even more the de- 
sign of Christ in this appointment, than any personal com- 
fort and advantage ; and that the sick-room was not fitted 
for this purpose ; and should silently and meekly (as the 
young woman did, as I understand you,) decline the urgent 
proposal of a minister to administer it ; I should not at all 
think the worse of his state : but I should think the worse 
of it, should he eagerly catch at it ; fearing lest he should 
be mistaking the shadow for the substance ; and perhaps 
even questioning whether he could, with intelligence and 
strict sincerity before God, make the expressed or implied 
profession; without which it must be a nullity, or even 
worse. 

" On these views I grounded my advice respecting your 
renewing (without express solicitation,) your visits, and 
avoiding that one subject in your converse with her. May 
the Lord direct, and counsel, and prosper you, in all your 
endeavours to promote his cause ; and may your own soul 
and family richly share the blessing ! 
•^ I remain, rev. and dear sir, 

<^ Your faithful friend and servant, 

^^ Thomas Scott-'' 



To the Rev. G. Knight^ Harwell. 

"Aston Sandford, January 7, 1818. 
'* MY DEAR SIR, 

" I SHALL be ready to give you my counsel on the 
question which you propose, and the case which you stctte : 
and I pray God to teach me what counsel to give ; for, as 
I am of opinion that many, whom I ought to consider as 
more competent judges than myself, will counsel differently, 
I feel the greater hesitation. 

" However, as far as I can judge from your statement, I 
should not find myself at liberty to advise your friend to 
accept an offered chaplaincy; much less to apply for one. 
At forty-five years old, men's habits, &c. are fixed ; and 
that versatility, and readiness at accommodating themselves 
to new scenes, places, and employments, which at an earli- 
er period would not have been difficult, are very rarely 
seen at so advanced an age, while no small part of the prob- 
able term of allotted years would be past, before an en* 
trance could well be made on new scenes of service. 



XI.J MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 197 

" I even Still more object to what you state^^ as the lead- 
ings and almost exclusive motive, I am the more disposed 
to thisj because I always resisted^ as a temptation^ the sug- 
gestion of such a motive: and^ though my family was not 
so large as your friend's^ yet my income for 3^ears was 
wholly insufficient for its maintenance. Unexpected helps 
alone kept me from being overwhelmed with debt ; nor 
had I, till long after I came to this place, any thing for my 
family, or even sufficient, without my furniture, to meet my 
debts. A most unexpected interposition of Christian friends, 
many of them unknown^ has set me at ease, personally : but 
I have little to leave to my many grandchildren ; whose 
parents in general are nearly, though not quite, in the same 
situation as to their families as I was. God hath fed me all 
my life long, I die, but God can provide for my children, 
and children's children, without me ; I cannot without him. 
I have not since I came here, allowing for my house, clear- 
ed £100 a year : yet the Lord hath provided ; and I live 
in plenty, and can give something: and, if more money 
were good for me, he would give it. But I never went a 
step out of my way in order to make provision, &c. Now 
I must think your friend would go out of the way, in quit- 
ting his present line and prospects, where he has doubtless 
obtained a measure of influence and good-will by Ms labors, 
to go into India, where probably he would not soon acquire 
the same. Any thing that should come in his own line, un- 
solicited, or not eagerly solicited, I should not object to : 
but I own that to go to India, in hopes of providing for his 
family, seems to me a carnal step : and I shall exceed- 
ingly wonder if even in this re&pect, should he proceed, his 
aim and expectation do not end in disappointment. 

" When I, almost forty years since, spoke to good Mr. 
Newton on a subject not quite dissimilar, he told me a story 
of a nobleman, who was selected as ambassador by his king, 
who excused himself on the ground of his family, and urgent 
concerns at home, but was answered. You must go : only do 
you mind my concerns heartily, and I will take care of 
your's. ' Thus,' said Mr. N. ' God as it were says to you.' 
I took this as he said it, and have acted on it ever since ; 
and often recommend it to my sons : and I am thankful that 
I did so take it. 

" I often think what St. Paul would say to ministers in 
our days on this ground ; when of those in his days he says^ 



198 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. [No, 

All seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ. (See 
my note on the passage.) I have long lamented that we 
cannot serve God by the day, and leave it to him to provide 
day by day for us and our's. 

"^ But I must close. JNIy health is not materially worse 
than when I had the pleasure of seeing you. I need your 
prayers far more than you suppose. ]\Iy kind remembran- 
ces to Mrs. K. May God bless you and your's, and make 
this to you a happy year ! 

** Your faithful friend and brother, 

^^ Thomas Scott.'^ 



To the Rev, Daniel Wilson. 

'* Aston Sandford, May 17, 1818. 
'^ 3iy DEAR SIR^ 

'' With deep sympathy and sorrow I heard, on my son 
and daughter's return from town, of your late heavy and ve- 
ry affecting family trials : and, though I am fully aware that 
I can suggest no consolatory topics but what have already 
occurred to your own mind, yet I feel a sort of powerful im- 
pulse to write to you on the occasion, at least to shew that 
I feel for you and Mrs. Wilson, &:c. 

^' You, my dear sir, are highly favored and honored in 
your public ministry and sphere of usefulness : in these our 
favored times we are greatly exempted from that counter- 
balance, which persecution has generally furnished to those 
who were rendered eminently and extensively useful : yet 
it is necessary for all of us to have a counterbalance, in one 
way or other. In fact we are all, at present, like patients 
in an hospital, though convalescent in different degrees ; 
and our great and unerring Physician appoints us severally, 
according to his wise and faithful love, our medicines : they 
are exactly suited to our case, yet we often feel as if we 
should have preferred any other to that allotted us. The 
event, however, will shew us that it was the best possible. — 
Some of the Lord's servants are tried with depressing pov- 
erty ; others with disease and pain ; others with dreadful 
inward conflicts and temptations ; and others in their fami- 
lies : but all have their trials. As many as I lave 1 rebuke 
and chasten. 

" About thirty-eight years since I had three children. 
Fir^t one pined away, and died a babe : tfaea my eldest. 



XI.} MISCELLANEOUS LETTERlf. 199 

four years and a half (fid, endeared to me in a manner and 
degree that I cannot express, was in full health, delighting 
me with her questions and observations, at four o'clock in 
the afternoon, and was a corpse the next morning before 
ten. Tongue cannot express all my mingled feelings; but, 
at first, and indeed long, they were most acute. I even still 
seem to feel the stroke. In a very short time, my only 
remaining child was seized with the same disease, and 
seemed almost beyond hope of recovery. I bore up 
before tolerably well ; but then I thought I should quite 
sink : I felt as if my very heart w^ould break. I went out^ 
however, according to my usual plan at that time, into 
the fields to pour out my heart before God : and, after 
having prayed with many tears, for a considerable time, 
with much liberty, I summed up the whole, as it were, in 
this petition : That, notwithstanding my acute feelings, if 
the Lord saw that the recovery and life of my child would 
not be for good and useful purposes, that he might rather 
die, than live to serve sin and do mischief: but that, if he 
would be pleased to employ him in his service, especially 
as his minister, he would spare and recover him. I return- 
ed home calm and resigned. My child, from that time, 
began to recover, and this is my eldest son, at Hull.^ — On 
the review afterwards, I do not in the least except these 
trying scenes from the general grateful acknowledgment. 
Swell/ mercy and goodness have followed me all the days of 
my life. And, I doubt not, yon will look back upon your 
present affecting trials, at length, in the same manner as I 
do on the scene which I have described. 

^' It was a remarkable circumstance, that I was preach- 
ing a course of lectures on the beginning of Job, at the 
time of my eldest child's death : and the text in order for 
the next* lecture was, The Lord gave, and the Lord hath 
taken away ; blessed be the name of the Lord : which ac- 
cording! v I preached on with much feeling, and apparent 
effect. 

"I will only call your attention further to the remarka- 
ble passage in 2 Cor. i, 4 — 7. I doubt not that your trials, 
and your consolations under them, are intended for the 
good of your people; and that they will eventually derive 
much benefit from them : and that, while a present in- 
terruption may be given to your useful labours, you will pro- 
ceed in them with redoubled animation and success in 
due time. And whatsoever, in any way, is eventually rcn- 



200 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. [No. 

dered conducive to our own spiritual good, and to our in- 
creasing usefulness in this evil world, will be recognized 
among our mercies in due time. Be then strong y and lie 
shall comfort thine hearty and put thou thy ti^st in the Lord, 
— My poor prayers for you and yours have not been omit- 
ted: may the Lord spare to you your remaining children, 
and render them comforts to you, and blessed themselves, 
and blessings to many !— I remain, Avith kindest remem- 
brance to Mrs. W., dear sir, 

" Your faithful friend and brother, 

"Thos. Scott.^' 

To the Rev, W, Gray^ West Rounton^ Yorkshire. 
" Astoa Sandfard, February 10, 1821 . 

"rev. and dear sir, 

" I WOULD not delay to reply to the inquiry contained 
in your very friendly and pleasing letter ; though I can- 
spare but little of my time for correspondence. 

" I cannot conceive from what the report which you have 
heard, of certain books which I so strongly recommended^ 
could arise : for, having been struck, and not a little grieved,: 
at the partial and injudicious commendations of this and 
the other book, given by persons of considerable emi- 
nence, I have always made a point not to give any such 
recommendations, aware that I also might have my preju- 
dices and partialities. The report, however, is totally 
groundless. In the preface which I annexed to my notes- 
on Bunyan's Pilgrim, I spoke of it a$ a book which had 
been peculiarly useful, and was likely to continue so : but 
there were eminent ministers before Bunyan wrote, and 
are and will be among those who nevei saw the Pilgrim's 
Progress. 

" It is many years since I read Grotius de Veritate : but 
my idea is, that the arguments contained in it have beea 
so retailed ; and that many parts of it are so undecided, or 
erroneous, as to what constitutes Christianity ; that on the 
whole I think it a book, at present, of inferior value. — 
Walker of Truro has been one among my favourite divines : 
yet some things in his excellent Lectures on the Church 
Catechism I could not subscribe ; though the applications 
are admirable. — Edwards of New England, especially or 
the Affections, and his life of Brainerd^ I have been 
much indebted to : yet I differ in some points from him also.. 



XL] IVIISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 201 

" But I need not enlarge : Prove all things by the law 
and the testimony^ and holdfast that which is good^ £is far as 
you, by study and prayer, caii discover it. And, when you 
read any of my poor attempts, prove them in like manner : 
use my spectacles candidly, but see with your own eyes ; 
only praying, Open thou mine eyes that I may see the won- 
drous things of thy law ! 

'-' I am thankful for any information which gives me rea- 
son to hope that my labours have not been wholly in vain : 
but I am now old, infirm, and diseased ; in the last week of 
my seventy-fourth year ; and I greatly need more patience, 
fortitude, and hope ; and shall value your prayers for me 
in those respects especially. — When you see Mr. Richard- 
son, or any at York who know me, remember me to them, 
in Christian respect and affection. — ^1 pray God to bless you 
and all yours with the best of blessings ; and to make you a 
felessing to numbers in your stated and occasional services. 

^' I remain, rev. and dear sir, 

" Your sincere and obliged friend and servant, 

" Thos. Scott.'' 

This letter bears a later date than any other in the col- 
lection — little more than two months before the writer's 
decease ! The following number consists of papers rather 
than letters, ^ 



No. XII. 

ON QUESTIONS DISCUSSED AT CLERICAL 
MEETINGS. 

Addressed to the Rev, G. Knight^ Harwell. 
1816—1820. 

" Aston, Sandford, June 17, 1816. 
" MY DEAR SIR, 

"As wholly unable to meet you in person, I send 
you my proxy, in a paper of hints on your most important 
question. 

" Should any brother undertake to form a paper for 
publication from the whole result of the discussion, he is 
perfectly at liberty to use my hints for that purpose : but, 
if this be not determined on, I shall be glad to receive them 
back again ; as probably I may make some use of them here- 
after : and I shall also gladly receive any of the remarks 
which my brethren make on them, or on the general 
subject, 

" I hope I shall not forget to pray for a large blessing on 
the company and the congregations ; for my heart will be 
with you, and I trust you will be particular, both when 
together and when separate, in praying for me ; not for my 
life, or health, or even ease, so much as that I may be up- 
held, and enabled to act consistently in my closing scene, 
and nmy finish my course with joy , Szc. : for I feel myself a 
poor, weak, and sinful creature, in constant danger of fall- 
ing or fainting, unless upheld by the power and grace of 
the Lord Jesus. With my kind remembrances to Mrs. 
Knight ; and prayers for a blessing on you and your family; - 
and Christian love to all the assembled brethren, 
"I remain, 

" Your faithful and affectionate brother, 

" Thomas Scott.'' 



ij 



XII.] ON QUESTIONS, &Co 203 

'' Thoughts on the words of St. Paul to Timothy^ Give 
THYSELF WHOLLY TO THEMj (sv TouToi^ /'tfSri,) Considered as 
an instruction to all ministers of Christianity^ in every 
age and nation, 

^' The context of this expressive clause should be con- 
sidered with peculiar attention, in explaining the words 
made use of. Let no man despise thy youth : hut he thou an 
example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, 
in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come give attendance to 
reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift 
that is in thee, ivhich was given thee — hy the laying on of 
the hands of the preshytery. Jleditate upon these things, 
GIVE thyself wholly TO THEM ; that thy prof ting may 
appear unto all. Take heed to thyself, and to the doctrine: 
continue in them : for in so doing thou shcdt both save 
thyself and them that hear thee, (l Tim. iv, 12 — 14.) 
Each expression, when closely examined, is as it were a 
sermon ; and the whole comprises such a mass of appro- 
priate instruction, warning, and encouragement to ministers, 
as can rarely be found in so few words. Let us then medi- 
tale on these things continually. ^ 

" Two particulars seem especially to call for our notice 
in the clause more immediately under consideration : 1. 
The things which the apostle intended : and 2. What it is 
to give ourselves wholly to them, 

" I. The things intended. — The apostle doubtless refer- 
red to those exhortations, which he had just before given 
to his beloved son Timothy, respecting his personal con- 
duct and example ; his ministerial office, as a talent entrust- 
ed to him ; the exercise of this ministry ; the preparation 
for that exercise ; and the ends to be proposed in the whole 
— Continue in them for in so doing thou shcdt both save 
thyself and them that hear thee ; that is, who so hear thee 
as to believe and obey the doctrine taught by thee. 

" A few hints may then be here dropped on some of the 
particulars relating to our important ministry — for we can- 
not too nuich magnify our office, and should have high and 
honorable thoughts of it ; as the best of all good works ; 
the most benelicial service which man can perform to man ; 
and the most immediately connected with the glory of 
God our Saviour ; yet attended with the most awful respon- 
sibility. It is a gift conferred on us, when set apart to 
that servic^. To us it is given to preach the unsearchable 



204 ON QUESTIONS [No. 

riches of Christ, It is a talent entrusted to our stewardship, 
which demands faithful improvement. It opens the way 
to the cultivation of the mind for purposes peculiar to the 
minister ; to purposes of the highest importance ; and in 
which^ if he do not neglect it, his profiting may appear unto 
all men ; not only when he sets out as a young and inexpe- 
rienced minister, but even if he had attained to Timothj^'s 
competency, nay to that of Paul the aged himself — except 
as inspiration and miraculous powers are concerned ; and 
from these the gift here spoken of, at least in applying it 
to us, should be considered as entirely distinct. — He that 
would be apt to teach must be apt to learn^ and always 
learning to the end of life : else (as is, alas, too often the 
case,) he will be like those who spend much and gain lit- 
tle, and are always in penury. — In this general office and 
stewardship, the apostle would probably, if he spake to us 
in modern language, and according to our situation as pas- 
tors, point out the public exercise of our ministry, statedly 
or occasionally, instant buxalpw^ dxot/pw^ ; with many things 
concerning our doctrine, our motives, our spirit, &;c. — He 
would advert to the more private exercise of our ministry 
from house to house^ accor-ding to the various openings which 
are afforded us of privately warning, instructing, consel- 
ling, and comforting, the healthy and the sick, and those 
around the sick ; or in teaching children, and in various 
other ways. — He would note those things which should be 
attended to by us in the study . by reading and writing, and 
preparing for our public ministry, or aiming tit accessional 
usefulness by our studies and publications. The fislierman, 
when not fishing, is employed in Washing or mending his 
nets, repairing his boat, &c., that he may be ready for the 
next expected opportunity ; or to seize on one that he did 
not expect. — Especiall}^, the apostle would point out what 
is to be done in the closet^ by our earnest and constant 
prayers and applications. (Compare Col. ii, 1 ; iv^, 12.) — 
He would go with us into our families ; and lead us to con- 
sider the importance of so commanding our children and our 
households y (Gen. xviii, 19?) and so governing them, that 
every thing, as far as we possibly can, may bear the holy 
stamp of our sacred office. Here a large field opens be- 
fore us, of family instruction and worship ; of educating our 
children ; of our conversation before them, and our domes- 
tics, and friends, &c. ; in order by every means to fix the 
impression^ that we deeply mean all which wq deliver 



XII.} AT CLEllICAL MfiETINCS. 205 

from the pulpit : for alas, too often, the conduct and con* 
versation of the dining and drawing room renders this at 
least very doubtful, to those v/ho more narrowly inspect 
our conduct. — The apostle would even attend us on our 
visits, our journeys, our seasons of relaxation, &c. and re- 
mind us, that we must never forget, not only our Chris^ 
tian but our ministerial character. All must be stamped 
with its holiness ; all must be a part of a system, strictly 
adhered to, of being constantly /earmw^, and waiting the 
opportunity of imparting what we have learned, in the 
things of God. 

'' I might go into all our needful intercouse with those 
without, and our concerns in the world as they relate to 
temporal things, or to any employments in which it may be 
expedient to engage, in connexion with our ministry : in 
short, to our whole example ; an example not only to the 
world, but to believers. But these hints must suffice. 

" II. The import of the words rendered. Give thyself 
wholly to them. — I remember that Demosthenes somewhere 
uses the same or an entirely similar expression concerning 
himself, and his application to public affairs : he was always 
the statesman : his time, his talents, his heart, his all, were 
swallowed up, as it were, in this one object. And in fact 
no man ever became very eminent in any line, when this 
was not his plan. It is noted by some writer concerning 
Bonaparte, that he never went to any town or city, or 
country new to him, but immediately he was examining 
and considering where would be the best place for a cas- 
tle or a camp, for an anibushment or an attack, for the 
meafts of defence or annoyance. He thus, in his line, en- 
tered into the spirit of the clause ^v toutoj?; 'l(S%\ ; always the 
general. — Our Lord says of himself, My meat is to do the 
will of him that sent me, and to fnish his ivork : and his 
whole time and soul were engaged in it. The apostles 
say. We will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the 
ministry of the word : we will not suffer even things good 
in themselves (as serving tables,) to take us off from these 
grand and essential employments. Much less would they 
have left them, for secular interests or trivial pursuits. 
They entered into the spirit of the clause under consider- 
ation. 

" Let these things then have our wliole time : lot even 
recreation and animal refreshment be so regidated, mod- 
erated, and subordinated, that they may not interfere with 

18 



206 ON QUESTIONS. [No. 

our grand employment, or unfit us for it ; but rather recruit 
and prepare us for it, that they may all become subservi- 
ent to our main object. — Prudent men of the world know 
how to do this, in respect of their object : and will neither 
let meals, nor sleep, nor visits, nor diversions interfere with 
it ; but endeavor in all these to promote it by means of 
them. They enter into th^ spirit of the clause, and of the 
words used elsewhere, Redeeming the time. 

" Let these things have our whole mind^ or capacity, 
natural ability, genius, learning : whatever we have or are, 
or can attain to, let these things have the whole. Wherever 
the bees collect the honey, they bring it all to the hive. 
Let us give all our powers and talents to our highly im- 
portant service ; and not for a moment admit an idea of 
employing genius or learning to other purposes, foreign to 
our ministry. The vows of God are upon us : at least I 
feel this to be my case ; for, almost forty years since, I so- 
lemnly voiced before God not to engage in any literary pur- 
suit or publication, however creditable or lucrative it might 
be, which had not the religious instruction of mankind for 
its immediate* object. 

" All our reading ought to be subservient to this. We 
may read any books, ancient or modern, sacred or profane, 
infidel, heretical, or what not ; but always as ministers ;t to 
note such things as may the better enable us to defend, and 
plead for, the truth as it is in Jesus ; never merely for 
amusement, or curiosity, or love of learning, simply for its 
own sake, or for tjie credit or advantages derived from it. 

" Let these things have our whole heart. We shall 
never fall in with the apostle's counsel, unless our ministry 
and its employments be our pleasure and delight; unless our 
warmest affections are excited by it, and our sweetest grati- 
fications derived from it. — Connected with this, however, 
our keenest sorrows and regrets will also thus be stirred. 
— But our whole soul and heart must be in it. We must 
count it both our work and our wages ; our business and 
our pleasure ; our interest and our honor ; and, in connexion 
with saving ourselves along with those that hear us^ our all. 
-^-Nothing moved the apostle, in his various pursuits ; he 
did not think even his life dear to himself, so that he might 
finish his course with joy, and the ministry which he had re- 
ceived of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of 

''Life p. 78 t See above, p. 149. 



XIL] AT CLERICAL MEETINGS. 207 

God, And neither the smiles nor frowns of men ; neither 
worldly gain nor loss ; nor yet privations, hardships, de- 
lays, disappointments, will move us, if we enter into his 
spirit, and copy his example. 

" We must, as has been said, remember that we are the 
ministers of the holy Jesus ; the shepherds of his flock ; the 
stewards of his mysteries ; his messengers of reconciliation 
to perishing sinners : and we must never go any where, or 
do any thing, so as to lay aside this our sacred character. — 
Is a man invited by neighbors or superiors ? Let him de- 
cline the invitation, if he cannot in such a visit speak and 
act as a minister ; studying that dignified, yet meek and un- 
affected manner, in which Christ improved such seasons 
and opportunities, as openings to most important instruc- 
tion, — Does he journey? Let even the coach, or the inns, 
or the ship, be improved as openings for communicating, in 
one way or ether, useful instruction v^ and, if this should 
prove impracticable, let him at least learn some lessons 
concerning the human heart, and the aims and pursuits of 
worldly men, which may render him more competent to 
meet the thoughts, plans, and consciences of his hearers.-— 
He may thus be learning when he cannot teach; and glean" 
ing v/hen he cannot reap. — Does he, for the sake of recruit- 
ing health and spirits, retire to some watering place, or oth- 
er scene of relaxation ? Let him not divest himself of his 
ministerial character, as is sometimes done, if not, alas ! of 
the Christian character also : but let him still be prompt at 
learning, and apt to seize any opportunity of teaching ; and 
at least preserve himself, and those belonging to him, from 
giving any countenance to the festivity, frivolity, and dissi- 
pation of such scenes. 

" Does he teach pupils privately, or at a public semina- 
ry ? Still let him do it as a Christian minister : and endea- 
vor, hy 2vue (Jam. i. 5.) and persevering endeavors, to train 
up his pupils for Jesus Christ. In reading with them the 
classics, for instance, let him intersperse remarks on the fal- 
sity of tlieir principles, the fallacy of their reasoning, the 
tendency of their writings ; comparing their maxims with 
those of Solomon, and with tlie words of Christ and -his 
aposth^s, on similar subjebts and occasions: and in every 
way let it appear in his conduct respecting them, that he is^ 
far more earnestly desirous of imparting good to them, than 

^Lifep. 217. 



2DS ON QUESTIONS ['Na, 

of deriving advantage from them: remembering our Lord's 
sayingj It is more blessed to ,<yive than to receive. 

" The same principles are applicable to a variety of oth- 
er particulars. But I have already too much enlarged. — 
These things adverted to^ will effectually keep the ministers 
of Christ from meriting the charge brought against the 
priests by Malachi i, 10 ; and even from exciting a feeling 
in those of decided zeal^ like St. PauPs, when he said. All 
seek their ovm^ and not the things of Jesus Christ. Love 
o^ filthy lucre^ and empty praise and popularity, will not 
then warp their minds; but they \y\\\ feed thefl')cJc of God^ 
taking the oversight of it^ not by co7istraint^ but ivillingly ; 
not for filthy lucrc^ but of a ready mind ; neither as being 
lords over God's heritage^ but as examples to the flock : and 
when the chief shepherd shall appear j ye shall receive a 
crown of glory that fadeth not away, (l Pet. v, 2 — 4.) 

^' P. S. When Nehemiah had related the progress made 
in a short time in building the wall of Jerusalem, in the 
midst of dangers and opposition ; he says, The people had 
a mind to work. They were not paid for their work ; but 
incurred expense and danger about it : but the object was 
so near their hearts that they had a mind to work ; and 
thus great things were done in a little time. — Oh, if all 
Christians and ministers had thus a mind to work ^ for noth- 
ings when good might be done ; how much might be effect- 
ed ! — He that is willing to work for nothing will never 
complain that he has nothing to do.-— Yet the principle 
that made the apostles determine not to serve tables^ though 
a good work in itself, should render ministers, in this day, 
very careful not so to give their services, even to the most 
Useful societies, and to attending the meetings of them, as 
to prevent their giving themselves continually to the word 
of God and prayer. A danger at present seems to arise 
on this side. 

" Mr. Cecil used to say, that the devil did not care how 
ministers were employed, if not in their proper work ; 
whether in hunting and field sports ; at cards and assem- 
blies ; in writing notes on the classics ; or in politics, &c. 
It was all one to him ; each might please his own taste. '^ 



XII.] AT CLERICAL MEETINGS. 209 



To a Clerical Society^ on the question^ Is it a fact that 
faitliful parochial ministers^ as they advance in life^ fre^ 
quently lose the esteem they had obtained^ and decline in 
apparent usefulness? and^ if so^ what may he learned from 
it ? and how may such declension he most probably 
avoided ? 

" Aston Sandford, June 21, 1819. 
" DEAR BRSTHRENj 

'^ The question which you propose to discuss, at your 
meeting, is af great importance and difficulty, and I do not 
feel myself competent to throw much light upon it. 

" That such declension in acceptance and apparent use- 
fulness is not unfrequently observed in the case of pious and 
faithful ministers, whether parish ministers or not, or wheth- 
er towards the close of life or at an earlier period, is cer- 
tainly a fact ; a fact often greatly afflictive to them, and 
discouraging to other laborers ; but most deplorable as to 
their flock. 

^M¥hen we say pious and faithfid^ we do not mean per- 
fect in piety J faitlifulness^ wisdom^ and holiness ; but up- 
right, true, and exemplary ministers. Yet, if any were per- 
fectly what the}^ ought to be, this would by no means se- 
cure them from this trial. 

"When we consider blessed Paul complaining that all 
they of Asia had forsaken him, however we may qualify the 
meaning ; that his children in Galatia, who once were rea- 
dy to pull out their eyes^ and give them to him, counted 
him their enemy , because he told them the truth ; and re- 
collect what a long and labored controversy he found it re- 
quisite to hold both with the Galatians and the Corinthians ; 
we must perceive, that no new or strange thing hath hap- 
pened unto us, if we meet with similar discouragements. — 
Even the holy Jesus, tvho spake as never man spalce^ had 
the thousands which attended him, as stated in the begin- 
ning of the sixth of John, reduced to the twelve apostles, 
before the close of it ; and the hosannas of the multitudes 
were soon changed into Crucify him; when even his own 
apostles ybrsooi him and fled, 

" But in the most general case there is something wrong 
or defective in the ministers themselves, which concurs both 
Nvith the fickleness of the people and the other causes in 
producing this effect. 

18* 



210 ON QUESTIONS [No. 

"1. It is a maxim with me, that indulged ckildeen al- 
ways ARE A ROD BY WHICH GoD CORRECTS THEIR PARENTS. 

And this applies to ministers and their flocks, as well as to 
families : and many pious and even eminent ministers have 
so humored and indulged their people, as to render them 
captious, self-conceited, and ready to take offence at every 
faithful and needful reproof and expostulation. Good Mr. 
Newton, than whom few stand higher on many grounds, had 
erred in this respect at Olney to that degree, that he could 
not preach a plain and practical sermon, without exciting 
inquiries throughout the tov/n, ' What has been the matter ? 
Who has been telling Sir something that led to this sub- 
ject ?^ — By this and other concurring circumstances, though 
exemplary, meek, and loving, in the highest degree, he be- 
came an Eli at Olney ; and really could not keep his sta- 
tion, having lost almost all his authority and influence. — 
And, when it was known that he was about to go, it seemed 
the determination of the people to thwart and oppose him 
in all his plans for their benefit : which made him more dis- 
turbed than i ever saw him at any other time.* 

'^2. Aversion, carried to extreme, against controversial 
discussions often makes way for this declension of esteem 
and usefulixess, by opening the door to false teachers, espe- 
cially antinomians, to corrupt the principles, or to persons 
who differ, as dissenters, or antipedobaptists, to unsettle the 
minds of the people. Here again, good Mr. Newton used 
to say, and was admired for saying, " That it was enough 
to preach the truth ; for, that being established, error 
would fall of itself.^ Now, if truth were as congenial to the 
human heart as error, or more so, this might be the case : 
but who does not see that, if St. Paul had been so av erse to 
all controversy, the false teachers of Galatia and Corinth 
would have wholly supplanted him, and ruined those flour- 
ishing churches ? In consequence, Olney, when Mr. N. 
left it, swarmed with antinomians: and, when I about a 
year after became curate of the parish, most of the profes- 
sors of the gospel joined the dissenters ; and I had to attempt 
raising a new congregation, in opposition to the antinomian- 
ism and anti-churchism, so to speak, which prevailed. In a 
population of two thousand five hundred people, often not 
(wae hundred got together on a Sunday morning till nearly 

♦ Scott'g Life, pp. no, 129. 



XII.] AT CLERICAL MEETINGS. 211 

the end of the service^ and half of these from other places. 
A great majority of Mr, N.'s best people had died before 
this time : but the antinomians and dissenters had quite un- 
dermined his influence ; while, laboring assiduously to carry 
off his people, they met with no opposition. 

'' 3. On the other hand, a harsh and sharp spirit, and 
over-eagerness in controversy, or in self-vindication, often 
carries matters, by the opposite road, to the same point ; 
by giving opposers the advantage of exclaiming against the 
spirit manifested by the minister ; and even as disgusting 
his own peoplCo 

'' 4. Fev/ pass through life without some false step, or the 
appearance of evil : and this is far more noticed, and pro- 
duces far more effect, in a stated minister, than in one v/ho 
goes from place to place : and often it imperceptibly gives 
occasion to many to grow shy of him, and to lend their ears 
to those who, with voluble tongues, and superficial but 
specious talent, and with hints of censure, &c. steal the 
hearts of the people^ as Absalom stole the hearts of Israel 
from David, after all his services, and in his old age. I 
have known many instances of this, in eminent characters ; 
where^ on a general view of things, the alteration has not 
been perceived, but where it has been painfully felt by 
those concerned. 

" 5. Even when a man's faculties and powers of mind do 
not decline as he grows old, there is a natural tendency in 
old age to abate vigor and activity, and render a man's 
ministrations less fervent and pathetic. If this be not 
watched and prayed against, it will render his ministry less 
acceptable ; and likewise give further opportunity to those 
who are more vigorous and active, in drawing off his peo- 
ple, and counteracting his usefulness ; and this sometimes 
to an astonishing degree. For, without something very 
peculiar in a stated minister, which unites the people to 
him by love, esteem, and veneration, counterbalancing all 
other things ; men naturally grow tired of hearing the same 
voice, and are eager after something new, or newer still : 
and, even where many are^ steadily attached to their old 
minister, there always w^ll be mdre thorny ground, and 
stony ground, or wayside hearers, who will either prefer a 
smoother gospel, or go back into the world. They went out 
from us J because they were not of us. And where situation, 
as in many country parii?hes, prevents an influx of new 
hearers, and especially when new places are opened in the 



212 ON QUESTIONS [No. 

neighborhood, by plausible and zealous persons, it cannot 
but be that a man's congregation must be diminished : but 
often by this very process the vine is pruned, and the heap 
of corn whinowed and purified. 

" 6. Mi Ulster s are too apt to yield to discouragement in 
these circumstances, and, instead of being more fervent in 
prayer, and zealous in labor, and instant in season^ out of 
season, and considering what further can be done, they be- 
come heartless ; their hands hang down ; they go on indeed 
with their ministrations, but there is less life and vigor in 
them ; less pains taken privately ; and more of a disposition 
to seek comfon and amusement in other studies and pur- 
suits. This often exceedingly increases the evil, and gives 
their rivals every advantage against them. And this is 
still worse if they take it up as merely their trial, and the 
appointment of God, and so quiet themselves in a heartless 
use of ordinary means, instead of being stirred up to extra- 
ordinary exertions, and to inquiries. Shew me wherefore thou 
contendest ivith me ? What can I do more ? When men slept 
the enemy sowed the tares. Therefore watch, &c. Acts xx, 
30,31. 

" These hints may suggest other causes, not before 
reflected on, to those who are discussing the subject ; 
and the duties, &c. resulting from them, will readily be 
seen. 

" For myself, I never had any popularity to lose till I 
came to this village : and then for several years I was so 
attended, and all I said or did was so favorably received, 
that I used to say, I hope God will give me wisdom and 
grace to adopt proper measures only ; for I seem as if I 
might do what I pleased. But at length a meeting opened 
at Haddenham, (as well as others in the neighboring vil- 
lages,) with some other changes, so altered the case, that 
my congregation was so much reduced, and circumstances 
became so discouraging, that, had I died three or four 
years ago, mine might have been considered as peculiarly 
a case in point on the question : and 3^et, on a full review 
of the whole, I cannot ascribe it to any false step, either 
previousl}^ or during the secession ; though doubtless more 
simplicity, fervor in prayer, and zeal, might have coun- 
teracted it. But my peculiar situation and engagements 
were such as prevented my doing many things, which in 
other circumstances might have been attempted ; and the 
numbers who became rfessenters, and perhaps the greater 



XII.] AT CLERICAL MEETINGS. 2l3 

numbers who became absenters, and the deplorable in- 
stances of such as grievously disgraced and gave up their 
profession, depressed me exceedingly. Lately, however, 
things have taken a more favourable turn. Many have 
come forth from other places, and several have joined us 
as communicants; and, though our congregations are much 
less than once they were, yet probably much more good 
has been done. 

" We ought not therefore, to yield to discouragement, 
])ut to wait, and hope, and pray, and labour; to endeavour 
to out-pray, out-preach, and out-live those who are preferred 
to us ; to expect also, and not to complain, but be thankful, 
if others increase and we decrease; and to rejoice that 
Christ is preached to the ignorant and careless, though we 
be eclipsed ; and to hold fast this maxim, that it is far bet- 
ter TO DO A LITTLE GOOD THAN A GREAT DEAL OF MIS- 
CHIEF ; and there \^joy in heaven over one sinner that re- 
pentethj though ten thousand continue impenitent — May 
God help us to he faithful unto death^ and give us the crown 
oflife^ and numbers to be our joy and crown of rejoicing 
at last ! '* Your brother in Christ, 

" Thos. Scott.'^ 

" Pray for me that I may have patience and fortitude to 
the end.'^ 

To the Rev. G, Knight y HartvelL 

On the Question^ What direct Influence have the Doctrines 
of Predestination J Election^ and Pinal Perseverance on 
the Characters of Believers^ when those Doctrines are 
scripturaUy stated and received ? 

'' Aston Sandford, Oct. 16, 1820. 
" MY DEAR SIR, 

" My many publications, especially my answer to 
Bishop Tomline, and Account of the Synod of Dort, or, in 
a shorter Abstract, my Sermon on Election and Final Per- 
severance, might well be pleaded as superseding any ne- 
cessity for me to give my thoughts on the question to be 
discussed at your clerical meeting ; as also my increasing 
infirmities might be deemed a sufficient excuse. Yet as 
you so wish, as it should seem from the repeated forms of 
application to me, that I should send my views on the sub- 
ject in writing, I will try to give a succinct abstract of 



214 ON QUESTIONS [No. 

them. — I must observe that the word Calv mistical^ as ap- 
plied to scriptural truth, can only be admitted to avoid cir- 
cumlocution, and with some latitude. What I consider as 
the doctrine of scripture relative to these deep points, I 
will endeavour brielly to state ; premisins: that assuredly 
sometliing is revealed in scripture concerning them ; and 
that therefore it must be assuming ourselves wise above 
the inspired writers, to suppose the subjects of no impor- 
tance, and that they had better in no way be brought for- 
ward in our public instructions. Whatever is a part of 
the ivhole counsel of God should be declared, in proper or- 
der, connexion, and proportion, as far as we are able. 

"1. It appears to me then, that the Scripture represents 
man, every man, born of fallen Adam's race, as wholly 
corrupt, an apostate, an idolater, (seeking good in the 
creature, not in the Creator,) a rebel, an enemy to God in 
his heart; a child of wrath, and in him^elid. vessel of wrath 
fitted for destruction : that, in wdiatever peculiar course 
this depravity may run, it is by nature equal in every man : 
that there is in no man either will or power to return to God, 
any more than in fallen angels ; and that therefore there is 
nothing, antecedent to preventing grace, to co-operate with 
the influences of the Holy Spirit ; but that every thing fights 
against them. The mind and conscience may be convinced, 
but the conviction is hated and opposed : cor repugnaty as 
Melancthon says. 

" 2. That salvation is, in all senses and respects, and in 
every view of it, altogether of grace ; undeserved, contrary 
to all our deservings : the eternal salvation and felicity of those 
who in the judgment of God deserve eternal damnation 
and misery. Submission to the justice of this decision is a 
very hard thing : it is, I confess, a very hard sayings who 
can hear it ? 

''" 3. Salvation may be considered, eitlier in the impetra- 
tion of it, or the application and reception of it. 

" It is less difficult to procure assent at least to the posi- 
tion, that the impetration is all of grace, than that the re- 
ception is so. The whole plan of redemption, — God so 
loving the world as to give his only begotten Son to be the 
Savio2ir ofihc world ^ and the propitiution for the sins of the 
world ; and all things connected with the incarnation, right- 
eousness, atonement, and mediation of Emmanuel ; are 
such as man can have no plausible reason for regarding as 
in any degree jneri ted : though few conceive of them as so 



XII.] AT CLERICAL MEETINGS. 215 

absolutely contrary to our merits as they really are. Even 
the distinguishing favour that to us is the word of this salva- 
tion sent, and not to numbers in every part of the world, 
gives less umbrage, when represented as totally independ- 
ent of our own doings or deservings : but, when the gos- 
pel is sent, and fairly proposed, with invitations, exhorta- 
tions, promises, &;c., and one embraces it, while another 
scornfully or carelessly rejects it; according to my views 
of scripture the difference is still wholly of grace, nay, an 
act of omnipotent mercy : You hath he quickened, ivho were 
dead in trespasses and sins. It appears to me that there is 
no more moral power in fallen man to welcome the gos- 
pel, than to keep the law ; and that, if it had been left 
wholly, or in any degree, to the mere effect of moral sua- 
sion, all things had been made ready in vain : though moral 
suasion is a proper means for us to use in dependence on 
the blessing of God. Regeneration, a resurrection to 
spiritual and divine life, a new creation, altogether an act 
of sovereign and omnipotent grace, precedes all willingness 
to be saved, in the scriptural sense, and in the Lord's* way. 
This is not due to any man, not desired or sought by any; 
but neglected, if not contemned, by all while left to them- 
selves. When granted, it is as absolutely free grace, as 
contrary to deserving, as redemption itself; when not 
granted, no injustice is done, nothing due is withheld ; 
nothing but the pride and enmity of the heart hinders the 
sinner from embracing the gospel. When granted, it 
shews itself by humble repentance, and works meet for 
repentance; by faith, receiving the truth in love, and work- 
ing hy love, — love of Christ, love of the brethren, good will 
to all men, with all its fruits; by serving and worshipping 
God in newness of spirit, and newness of life. Then the 
renewed will and heart co-operate with divine grace, and 
in different degrees men give diligence to make their calling 
and election sure. In proportion as their calling according 
to God^ s purpose is sure to their own consciences ; they may 
be sure of their election ; and, tracing back the effect pro- 
duced to the source, may say on good grounds, He hath 
loved me with an everlasting love, therefore with loving- 
kindness hath he drawn me ; and conclude, ' The love di- 
vine, which ipade me thine, will keep me thine for ever.'* 
But, whether they are able to draw this conclusion or not, 

* C. Wesley. 



21 6 ON QUESTIONS [No. 

Still it remains sure in itself ; and no notions in the mind 
about election, &c. give any man a right to consider him- 
self as elect ^ who is not thus in Christ a new creature : and, 
as Xo perseverance^ such a man can only persevere in things 
not accompanying salvation. 

" Salvation then in every sense is wholly gratuitous : but 
damnation is always deserved, God punishes none above 
his deserving ; his sovereignty is that of infinite wisdom, 
justice, goodness, truth, and mercy. He has mercy on whom 
he will have mercy ^ and whom he will he hardeneth ; let who 
will find fault. — Thus I have viewed the subject for much 
above forty years : (but I hardly dare avow my sentiments 
at present :) and I was led to this view, in part, by a full 
conviction that, while some individuals of my acquaintance 
were awfully cut ofl^ in their sins, I was brought to welcome 
and rejoice in God's salvation ; and that the reverse might 
justly have taken place. 

'^ Suppose then these views, not floating as notions in the 
head, but become inward and deeply wrought convictions in 
the heart, and principles of conduct, and measures of judg- 
ment in all things ; it appears to me that hiimiliation be- 
fore God must bear a full proportion to the measure in 
which they prevail : all boasting and self-preference must 
be excluded : all disposition to trust in ourselves and des- 
pise others, to lean to our own understanding, to trust in 
our own hearts, &c. Ccdvinists, as well as others, may be 
proud of their notions and supposed privileges, and we all 
have too much, far too much, of this remaining ; but the 
inward, habitual, experimental influence of these principles 
must humble, and keep humble, as far as it prevails. Humil- 
ity before God, in proportion as it becomes deeper and deep- 
er, must produce great patience, resignation, contentment, 
thankfulness, in all their varied exercises. — The views I 
have stated seem especially those of fervent earnest prayer, 
thanksgiving, and adoration ; and one can hardly conceive 
of the worshippers of heaven having any other views, 
while they ascribe salvation to our God^ that sitteth upon 
the throne^ and to the Lamb, for ever, — Deep humility be- 
fore God always influences to proportionable meekness, for- 
bearance, forgiveness towards men, even those who most 
injure us, or are most opposed to us : and I must think, 
if we were all more deeply grounded in the principles 
above stated, a degree of meekness aad mutual love 



XII.] AT CLERICAL MEETINGS. 217 

would folloW; of which we have at present little concep- 
tion. 

'' As God accomplishes his purposes by means and instru- 
ments, which we may know in our own case, these views 
present no impediment to our using all proper means for 
the good of others also : while they not only produce the 
conviction, that the same rich grace and omnipotent en- 
ergy, by which God saved us, would suffice for the conver- 
sion and salvation of any of those whom we address ; but 
also lead directly to a simple and entire dependence on 
that omnipotent and most rich grace for success, while we 
are prepared to give the whole glory to God, when our 
endeavours are prospered. They stimulate to exertions like 
PauPs : and to his acknowledgment. Yet not J, hut the grace 
of God which was with me; to contributions . fter the man- 
ner of David ; and to confessions, Wlio am /, O Lord^ that 
I should he able to give thus willingly after this sort ? Of 
thine own have I given thee. — On the other hand, as in 
every thing they lead us to expect success only of God's 
free mercy and powerful grace, they restrict us to such 
means alone as we may scripturally expect, and confidently 
pray, that God will bless : not doing evil that good may 
come. — They are also, and I find them such, the grand sup- 
port and cordial of the soul under temptations, conflicts, 
sufferings ; nay in the midst of doubts and fears, as well as 
when assured that we have passed from death wito life. 

Determined to save 

He watch'd o'er my path, 
When Satan's blind slave, 

I sported vt'ith death ; 

And can he have taught me 

To trust in his name, 
And thus far have brought me 

To put me to shame ? 

It is of the Lord^s mercies that I am not consumed. Whether 
in the ark or not, there is an ark : I am in the land of hope, 
and prayer, and mercy. — Whom he icill he hardeneth. He 
has not hardened me. I am not among scoffers, blasphem- 
ers, infidels, Socinians, Pharisees, antinomians, Gallios. 
Lord^ I helieve, help my unbelief — Thus I would plead in 
the darkest hours. In brighter times, while all the glory of 
the past is unreservedly given to God, I am enabled to trust 
him to perfect what concerneth me. But, were my confi- 

19 



218 ON QUESTIONS, &e. [No. XII. 

dence to rest on any thing in myself, I am so conscious 
how little my heart and resolution can be depended on, that 
I should despair^ or at least despond, 

" I must also add, that those very views, or principles, lie 
at the bottom of all proper exertions, and hope of success 
in exertions, to propagate Christianity in the world. God's 
omnipotent grace, his purposes, his predictions, alone give 
just ground of confidence in attempting to surmount the 
otherwise insuperable difficulties in the way. In short these 
views cause the gospel to appear in its full glory. While 
all other views in a measure seem to darken that glory. They 
secure all the honour to God, and cherish all right princi- 
ples and feelings in our hearts towards him, our brethren, 
and all men. 

" This is an imperfect view of my sentiments on the sub- 
ject : — My kind regards to Mrs. Knight. God bless you 
and all your's, and our assembled brethren.,. Pray for me, 
especially for faith, patience, and fortitude : for I am weak. 

Your's faithfully, 

*^ Thomas Scott." 



No. XIII. 

ON MATTHEW xiii, 28. 

" An enemy hath done thisP 

'' In lately reading the parable of the tares in the field, 
the expression^ An enemy hath done this, suggested to me 
the following general observation. That Christianity is an- 
swerable only for its own genuine effects^ and not for any 
thing which men, called Christians, have done of another 
or contrary nature : I sowed good seed in my field ; but, as 
to tares, an enemy hath done this, 

" When our Saviour had cast out the legion, restored the 
frantic demoniac to his right mind, brought him to sit at his 
feet, and sent him to tell his countrymen what the Lord 
had done for him ; it should seem that the Gadarenes over- 
looked all this important good ; and thought of little but 
what the devils (by the permission, indeed of Christ,) had 
done in destroying the swine. And so, charging the be- 
nevolent Jesus with the loss of their property, which he, 
for wise reasons, did not see good by his omnipotence to 
prevent; they refused both his gracious assistance for the 
cure of their sick, and his invaluable instructions for* the 
salvation of their souls. An enemy hath done this : and they 
were so alarmed and prejudiced that they desired the best 
friend, that ever set foot in their country, to depart out of 
their coast ; though the recovered demoniac was an unex- 
ceptionable witness to his love, as well as his power. 

'^ It appears to me, that modern infidels and skeptics, of 
various kinds, have trodden in the steps of these Gada- 
renes ; or rather far outgone them. During eighteen cen- 
turies immense multitudes, in regions most remote from 
each other, have, by the genuine efficacy of Christianity, 
been turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true 
God, and to wait for his Son from heaven : they have been 
taught to deny ungodliness and loorldly lusts, nnd to live so^ 



220 ON THE WORDS [No 

herly^ righteously ^ and godly in this 'present world : they 
have repented and done works meet for repentance , they 
have been harmless and blameless^ the sons of God without 
rebuke^ in the midst of crooked and perverse nations, shining 
among them as lights in the world : they have extorted even 
from enemies the most unequivocal acknowledgments of 
their temperance, equity, truth, and love: they have, by 
their example, covered their calumniators with shame, and 
disarmed numbers of their persecutors : they have been in- 
deed a chosen generation^ a royal priesthood, a holy nation^ 
a pecidiar people : yet they have confessed, without excep- 
tion, that they came far short of that excellence to which 
their principles, maxims, motives, and example, called 
them. Nay it has often been proved unanswerably, that, 
if Christianity were universally received as the principle 
and rule of men's conduct, it must form the human race to 
such piety, justice, temperance, faithfulness, and mercy, 
that wars, massacres, murders, slavery, oppression, licen- 
tiousness, and every other evil that disturbs and plagues 
the world would cease, and peace and love, with all the 
fruits of righteousness^ must fill the earth. Let all men 
repent and believe the gospel ; let them act from its princi- 
ples, and according to its instructions ; let them obey the 
precepts of Christ, and imitate his example ; let them all be 
Christians indeed, and consistent Christians ; and I appeal 
to every man's understanding and conscience, what sort of 
rulers, and subjects, and relations, and friends they would 
be, and what the state of the world would become. — The 
Christian church, for a short time after the day of Pente- 
cost, when great grace was on them all^ shewed us a speci- 
men ; and very many millions in succeeding ages have in 
some good measure answered to it : and numbers even 
mow on earth so far resemble them, that, if whole coun- 
tries, if the whole earth, were filled with such characters, 
the beneficial consequences would baffle calculation, and 
even exceed all that we can at present so much as imagine. 
Now this is the genuine effect and tendency of Christianity, 
and the honour of it belongs to her exclusively : whereas, 
whatever contradicts her principles, her precepts, or the 
example of her founder, is tares sown by the enemy. He 
indeed took occasion from the good seed being sown, to 
cast in his tares ; but the parable itself is a prophecy ; and 
Christ and his apostles foretold, in very many places, what 



XlII.] AN ENEMY HATH DONE THIS. 221 

mischief the wicked heart of man, and the influence of evil 
spirits^ would take occasion from Christianity to perpetrate : 
and so the event turns to us for a testimony. But they have 
also cautioned us against charging the blame on the gospel ; 
for an enemy hath done it. 

" The modern opposers, however, of our holy religion 
either y<?r^^^, or are willingly ignorant of^ the immense ef- 
fects of the most excellent kind which history records as 
produced by Christianity, and the still more extensive good 
which it is calculated to produce, when more generally re- 
ceived in its purity ; and they dwell with triumph on what 
the enemy hath done, as if Christ had done it, or Christian- 
ity had commanded it. But surely Christianity is not an- 
swerable for the mischiefs which heresy, superstition, and 
enthusiasm have done, or for the crimes of vile hypocrites, 
whom she classes with infidels. — Can Christianity be an- 
swerable for what Antichrist has done, according to the 
prophecies of the primitive preachers of the gospel ? Does 
Christianity command frauds, seditions, massacres, persecu- 
tions, and holy (or rather unholy) wars ? Does she author- 
ize her ministers to trample on the necks of kings, or kings 
to shed the blood of their subjects ? Does she even incul- 
cate the odium theologicum^ of which so much is spoken, 
as if inseparable from religion ? Do her principles lead to 
any of these evils ? Nay do not her principles, and pre- 
cepts, and approved examples most directly oppose, dis- 
countenance, and forbid in the severest manner, and under 
the most dreadful penalties, every approach to these evils ? 
Are not all these the offspring of that pride, ambition, envy, 
malice, rapacity, and enmity to God and man, which con- 
stitute ^^e works of the devil ^ that Christ came to destroy ? 
Let such men, as perpetrate these crimes under the cloke 
of religion, produce their commission and instructions from 
the New Testament. Let those, who charge their crimes 
on the gospel, shew what principle of the gospel tends to 
produce them, what precepts require them. Till then it is 
a sufficient answer to say, An enemy hath done this. Even 
the controversies among Christians, especially when mana- 
ged with heat and acrimony, are directly contrary to the 
spirit and precepts of Christianity : and the divisions of the 
church arise from the want of more knowledge, humility, 
and love among Christians, and are opposite to the spirit 
and precepts of the gospel. 

19* 



222 ON THE WORDSj &C. [No. XIII. 

" It appears to me, that attempts to distinguish Chris- 
tianity, as exhibited pure and complete in the scriptuies, 
from every spurious, mutilated, and corrupted species of 
religion ; to shew the nature and tendency of the former, 
and of the latter ; what Christ hath done, and what an ene- 
my hath done^ are of the most essential service to the 
common cause : and even a matter of the last importance 
in the argument of Christians against infidels and skep- 
tics.'^ 



No. XIV. 

EXTRACTS 

FROM AN UNPUBLISHED WORK. 



In the Life of my father I expressed the opinion, that he 
had left no further writings behind him which could proper- 
ly be given to the public, except it were additional letters 
to his friends. A more careful examination induces me so 
far to modify this opinion, as to except from it, in addition 
to the papers contained in the preceding pages, pretty copi- 
ous extracts J which I am here about to present to the reader, 
from one more regular composition. 

The work intended is, I conceive, to be referred to the 
year 1783 or 1784 ; or at least to the period between the 
publication of the Force of Truth, in 1779, and that of the 
Discourse on Repentance, in 1785. It consists of one hun- 
dred and thiry-four folio pages, written in a clear bold 
hand. It displays great knowledge of divinity, much ob- 
servation of the religious world, a keen detection of errors 
and their tendencies, with all the vigor, acuteness, and 
comprehensiveness, which subsequently distinguished the 
author. It bears also the same highly practical, and yet 
strongly evangelical, character,* which marked his later 
writings. Indeed the observation which suggested itself on 
the perusal of the manuscript was, that his hand writing 
and his religious sentiments appeared to have continued 
alike unchanged throughout the whole of his career. Per- 
haps it is a little more systematical, deduces rather more in 
the way of inference from scriptural principles, and is ra- 
ther less cautious in its language, than a later production 
would have been : but these are nearly all the differences 
that would be found in it. In short, that " early maturity ,^^ 

* Life, p. 442, 443. 



224 EXTRACTS FROM [No, 

which has been attributed to the writer's sentiments,* is emi- 
nently visible in every part of it. 

Two considerations are sufficiently decisive against pub- 
lishing it as a distinct work : first that it is left imperfect, 
having never been brought to a conclusion ; and, secondly, 
that, though originally designed for publication, the author 
himself suffered it to lie by him unpublished for almost 
forty years. What were his reasons for thus abandoning 
his design I do not remember to have heard him state : but 
I should not be surprised if they arose from an apprehen- 
sion that he had animadverted more freely, than would be 
borne with in one of his standing, on certain views of reli- 
gion then current in many quarters. A reason of this sort, 
it is obvious, must now have lost its force : and, though as 
a whole, the work is not in a state for the public eye, many 
parts of it, with a general analysis of its contents, to con- 
nect those parts together, may, I trust, be advantageously 
given. And this is what I at present propose. I shall only 
further premise, that nothing will be here inserted from the 
manuscript, which I do not feel confident would have had 
the author's approbation to the last, and have coincided 
with his latest sentiments : it must however be borne in mind, 
that, as he in one place observes, " it is not his design to at- 
tempt a labored proof of the various heads of doctrine" 
which are introduced, but only to state them in order to a 
further purpose. 

The general title of the work is, " Evangelical Fruitful- 
ness :" but a more adequate idea of its purport will be 
conveyed by the following expansion of the title : " Being 
an attempt to describe the true nature of Christianity ; in 
two Parts, one Doctrinal, the other Practical." The rea- 
der may find a good preparative for many of the senti- 
ments which distinguish it, in the letters to the Rev. J. 
Mayor and the Rev. G. More, which are published in the 
eighth chapter of the author's Life, and which were writ- 
ten in the years 1783, 1784, 1785. Indeed there is a pas- 
sage in a letter to the latter correspondent, dated Olney, 
April 14, 1784, which furnishes so orderly an abstract of 
the work before us, as to afford a strong argument that the 
writer was either at that time employed on it, or had but 
very recently dismissed it from his hands. " The truth of 
the matter," he there says, " is, upon mature deliberation 

** Commemoration by the Church Missionary Committee : Life, p. 215. 



XIV.] AN UNPUBLISHED WORK. 225 

1 am convinced that the preaching of the present day is not 
practical enough, or sufficiently distinguishing between true 
and false experience. I therefore speak more fully than 
most do of the moral character of the Deity : of the excel- 
lency, glory, and loveliness of that character as described 
in the word of God. From this I deduce the reasonable- 
ness and excellency of the holy law of God ; which I en- 
deavor fully to open in its extensive requirements. Thence 
follows man's obligation to love God, both on account of 
his infinite loveliness, and of our natural relations and obli- 
gations to him. Then I demonstrate the evil of sin, as 
apostacy from this lovely and glorious God and king, and 
transgression of his perfect law. Thence I shew the jus- 
tice of God in the infinite, the eternal punishment of sin- 
ners ; it being necessary that God should mark his hatred 
of this hateful thing, magnify his holy law, and shew his 
justice, that he might appear glorious in the eyes of all for 
ever, but rebels.— Thus I suppose I dig deep to lay the foun- 
dation for the gospel of free grace : the necessity, nature, 
and glory of the vicarious obedience and sufferings of Em- 
manuel ; the sufficiency of his one sacrifice : and his ability 
and willingness to save to the uttermost all that come. 
Thence I shew that all who will may come, and ought to 
come, and that all sin atrociously in not coming : that, 
however, it is in no natural man's heart to come, because 
each man is proud, selfish, worldly, and carnal : therefore 
all are without excuse. But a God of sovereign grace, hav- 
ing mercy on whom he will^ according to his own purpose 
make some willing, by regeneration. This changes the pre- 
vailing bent of the heart; and henceforth the man is not 
only humbly willing to be justified by faith, and saved by 
grace ; but hates and repents of sin, loves God's law, loves 
holiness, and leads a holy life, sincerely, progressively, 
though imperfectly — daily receiving from Christ grace so to 
do ; and that all experience which has not this effect is false. 
Every tree that hringeth not forth good fruit is heicn doicn 
and cast into the fireJ^* 

Life, p. 148, 



226 EXTRACTS FRQM [No. 

PART I. 
THE DIVINE CHARACTER. 

The first, or doctrinal part of the work commences thus : 
^* All religion pre-siipposes the existence of some superior 
Power, who notices human affairs, and is able and willing 
to reward those who please him, and to punish those who 
offend him. An assured belief of this fundamental truth 
produces an earnestness in religion of some sort. — But true 
religion further pre-supposes an acquaintance with the per- 
fections of this superior Power : otherwise we may zealous- 
ly, indeed, but ignorantly worship an unknown God ; and 
our religious earnestness may and will be found among our 
greatest sins. But an assured belief that there is a God of 
such perfections, and of such a character ^s the Bible repre- 
sents, will produce earnestness in pure and undefded reli- 
gion, honorable and acceptable to the Lord, and profitable 
to men. This knowledge of God will mightily assist us in 
understanding what that worship and service are, which he 
must require and approve, and will discover to us the rea- 
sonableness and excellency thereof.'' 

" The holy scriptures therefore, being a revelation of 
God to man, abound in declarations of his character and 
perfections. Besides multitudes of detached instructions 
on this point ; dispersed throughout the Bible, that which 
forms its grand subject,, even redemption by the death of 
the Son of God, is no other than a revelation of the know- 
ledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, 
Here all the divine perfections are harmoniously displayed 
in all their glory. All the lines meet in this centre ; and he, 
who well understands this doctrine^ exactly in proportion 
well understands the character of God ; nor can he remain 
ignorant of that worship and service which God requires, 
nor fail of perceiving how reasonable and excellent it is, 
Indeed the conversion of a sinner consists in giving him a 
spiritual perception of this divine glory ; which lays a 
foundation for every holy disposition, and all holy prac- 
tice. God J who commanded the light to shine out of dark- 
nessy hath shincd into our heai^ts, to give us the light of the 



XIV.] AN UNPUBLISHED WORK. 227 

knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.'^ 
The revelation was before made in the word ; but pride, 
and prejudice, and the God of this ivorld, blinded our minds ^ 
and we saw not its glory : but now, these hindrances being 
removed by the Spirit of God, we see, and admire and love 
what we behold.'^ 

The author then enumerates the principal divine per- 
fections, particularly the holiness of God, which, he ob- 
serves, '^ is a law unto himself that he cannot transgress," 
rendering it " eternally impossible that he should do any 
wrong, or allow any other to do it.'^ He then proceeds : 
" These are the general outlines of the divine character, 
the knowledge of which I apprehend to be fundamental to 
iall true religion : and I would wish seriously to recommend 
it to all who may peruse this treatise, in reading the sa- 
cred scriptures, especially the Psalms, and the prophetical 
books, to observe carefully how very much is said con- 
cerning the character of God, particularly his holiness. 
The more I consider the scriptures with express reference 
to this subject, the more I am convinced of the importance 
of this knowledge of God in all true religion, doctrinal, 
practical, and experimental ; and the more doth it endear 
the Bible to me, as fully revealing and communicating 
this knowledge, which was no otherwise attainable by fal- 
len man. 

" And now,'' he goes on to ask, " must it not, even from 
this imperfect sketch, needs appear, that this character of 
God is infinitely lovely, and would certainly be admired and 
loved, as such, by all rational creatures, who had the oppor- 
tunity of being acquainted with it, were not their hearts evil 
and their judgments perverted ?'' 

CREATION, 

" Now let us consider this eternally glorious God, mo- 
ved by his own goodness, creating the world, and amongst 
the other productions of his Almighty power and wisdom, 
forming rational agents, capable of knowing good from 
evil, and of choosing the one and refusing the other, bear- 
ing his holy image, without the least bias to moral evil, but 
entirely, though not immutably, disposed to imitate the 

** 2 Cor. iv. 3. 



228 EXTRACTS FROM [N«. 

divine holiness ; and formed capable of immortality and 
blessedness." 



DIVINE SOVEREIGNTY AND LAW. 

^^ Let us consider Jehovah, conscious of his undoubted 
right to sovereign authority, and that he alone is capable of 
exercising it, taking the throne as monarch of the universe. 
As sovereign he gives a law to his subjects : as infinitely 
wise and holy, and perfectly acquainted with his own rights, 
with what is fit and right in the nature of things, with the 
capacities of his t^reatures, with their relations and obliga- 
tions to him and to one another, and with the glory and sta- 
bility of his throne, and the good of his universal kingdom 
through eternal ages ; his law must needs be perfect : holy, 
and just J and good, — The sum and substance of this law is 
love ,A11 its precepts are included in, and may be refer- 
red to the two great commandments to love God (who is in- 
finitely lovely, and to whom we owe our all,) with all our 
heart and to love our neighbor (who is our equal ; and whose 
happiness is of just as much consequence as our own,) as 
we love ourselves, with equal estimation and benevolence. 
More than this the perfect law of God doth not require ; 
less than this cannot be reasonable and equitable ; and there- 
fore God cannot require less. As a king who is indeed the 
father of his people he says to them. Love me, and love one 
another, and be happy. 

'' Lay these things together, and may we not, ought we 
not, nay, if nothing were wrong within should we not unan- 
imously and exultingly sing, the Lord reigneth, let the earth 
rejoice V 

EVIL OF SIN, AND FALL OF MAN. 

" But, the more undoubted the title which any prince 
has to the throne ; the greater the obligations of his sub- 
jects to him ; the more excellent his character, for wisdom, 
justice, and goodness ; the more reasonable and equitable 
his laws ; the more impartially they are executed ; and the 
greater the happiness which his loyal subjects enjoy under 
him ; the more execrable is the wretch, who, out of pride, 
ambition, envy, or resentment, excites rebellion in the 
kingdom, aims to overturn such a government, to dethrone 
such a king, and to ruin the happiness of such a nation. 



XIV.] AN IJNPUBLISHEB WORK. 229^ 

By this plain rule of judgment, rebellion in any of God's 
subjects must, in every point in which we can view it, ap- 
pear inconceivably evil. Not only does language fail in 
describing, but imagination must be incapable of conceiv- 
ing the monstrous baseness of him, who, receiving his be- 
ing and all he enjoys from God ; being the absolute pro- 
perty of his Maker, and his rightful subject ; ungratefully 
rebels against such a benefactor, breaks such a law, and as 
far as in him lies, attempts to overturn such a throne, and 
to ruin the happiness of the world. And all this is implied 
in sin." 

Hence the writer proceeds to vindicate that everlasting 
punishment which God has denounced against sin : and 
thence to consider the introduction of evil by the fall of an- 
gels and of man. 

" The transaction with Adam," as the representative of 
all the human race, he observes, " is not only expressly 
mentioned in many places of scripture literally interpreted, 
but is every where implied, and forms, so to speak, the mas- 
ter key by which to open all the principal obscurities in 
tlie book of God, and all the otherwise unaccountable ap- 
pearances which strike us, when we consider what is going 
forward in the world." And he adds : "Whatever difficul- 
ties our narrow views, and perverted judgments, and selfish- 
ness in a case in which we are in the event such sufferers, 
jiiay find in considering this subject, and reconciling it to 
the divine perfections ; without all doubt it did and doth 
appear to all holy beings holy, and just, and good. Evident- 
ly it did and still doth appear so to God ; or he would never 
have proposed it, or dealt with man according to it : for 
shall not the Judge of all the earth do right ? Nor can we 
reasonably question that jt appeared thus to Adam ; or he 
would have humbly objected to it. Nor is there more rea- 
son to doubt that it appeared so to the holy angels : for they 
are ever represented as adoring the holiness of God, as dis- 
played in his dealings with mankind : And finally holy men 
of old, as speaking under the teaching of the Holy Ghost, 
while they record, acknowledge, and mourn over, or com- 
ment upon this transaction, ever with harmonious voice de- 
clare, that God is righteous in all his ways^ and holy in all 
his worJcs.^^ 

Again : " Known unto God are all his ivorks from before 
the foundation of tlw loorld : and he not only foresaw, but 
in his infinite wisdom provided for this event. Far be it from 

20 



230 IXTKACTS FROM [No. 

US to imagine that the holy God compelled, enticed, or in 
any degree influenced his creatures to sLn, or rendered it 
necessary or unavoidable to them : on the contrary, hav- 
ing formed them for ever capable of avoiding it, and hav- 
ing eiven them every encouragement and incitement to 
obedience, he let them know his inlinite hatred of sin, and 
determination to punish it with the utmost severity, and 
warned them with all solemnity against it. But he did 
not deem himself bound in justice to prevent, by an exer- 
tion of almighty power, that fall which, unless they were 
wanting to themselves, they were able to avoid. He fore- 
saw that, left to themselves, they might, yea icould fall ; 
and for wise reasons he chose thus to leave them, know- 
ing that he might justly do so : and then he embraced the 
occasion, thus ofiered by their willnl aggravated rebellion, 
to manifest and glorify his infinite mercy, (an attribute of \ 
bis character which had never before been displayed :) in 
harmony with his other perfections, in the work of re- 
demption. 

'^ If man be acknowledged to be a fallen apostate crea- 
ture, none of the rest can be denied without palpable 
blasphemy. God doubtless foresaw that man would fall, if 
left to himself ; certainly he could have prevented it by an 
exertion of almighty power : but he did not. Had justice 
requh-ed it, assuredly he would. Had it not been the wisest 
and best, all things considered, he would never have per- 
mitted sin. The thing proves itself. The existence of 
sin demonstrates that it was just and wise in God to permit 
it : and they argue against self-evidence, who, by objecting 
to this part of the divine providence and government, en- 
deavor to prejudice men's minds against those doctrines, 
which presuppose what has been here delivered. If God 
could not consistently with justice and wisdom leave his 
rational creatures to themselves, when he foresaw that 
they would sin if thus left, he must either be divested of 
omniscience, or forbidden to manifest either his justice in 
punishing sin, or his mercy in pardoning it : and thus his 
giving a law and govern ins: the world come to nothing ; 
for, if any break the law, the blanie is cast on God who 
permits it ! Such bold objectors are best answered by the 
apostle : Nay but, O many who art thou that repUest 
against God ?'' 

The writer now proceeds to the doctrine of the Trinity, 
^d of redemption. 



XIV.] AN UNPUBLISHED WORK. 231 



REDEMPTION DESIGNED TO MAGNIFY THE 
LAW. 

" Man's disobedience dishonored and reflected on the 
precepts of God's holy law, as if it had not been equitable, 
reasonable, or necessary ; as if it w^ere needlessly strict and 
rigorous ; commanded things incompatible with the happi- 
ness of those who were subject to it, and forbad them enjoy- 
ments which would have added to their real and true feli- 
city : in fine, as if the great lawgiver had been defective 
either in wisdom, or in love to his subjects. This is evi- 
dently implied in transgression ; for why else break a law 
which is, in perfect wisdom and benevolence, promulgated 
for our good ? 

" The various objections which are so commonly made 
against one or another precept of the law, and against its 
strictness and spirituality, together with the multiplietj 
schemes continually framed by antinomians, neonomians, 
and others, for abrogating, lowering, altering the law of 
God ; and the harsh language which many use concerning 
it ; too plainly prove the opinion which sinners entertain 
of it : how glad they would be to be rid of it : how they 
hate it with a perfect hatred ; and consequently how ne- 
cessary it was that God, as the great Governor of the 
world, should, in his plan for the salvation of sinners, coun- 
teract this disposition, and magnify the iaic^ and maht it 
honorable. 

" This the Son of God hath effectually done by his obe- 
dience to the law in our nature. The dignity of his per- 
son, God with us ; the voluntariness of his obedience — he 
being under no obligation to obey in this our world for so 
many years ; the difficult circumstances in which his obedi- 
ence was performed— -even in the midst of all those external 
obstacles, temptations, and suiTerings which sin has placed 
in our way, but with which no holy being, save Jesus Christ, 
ever struggled in obeying ; the perfection of his obedience 
in every point ; the cheerfulness with which he undertook, 
and persevered in, and perfected his work — uniformly de- 
claring that he delighted to obey— that the law was in his 
heart — and that it was his meat to do the will of God, and 
to finish his work : all conspired to put unspeakable honor 
on God's law, in the view of the wliole intelligent creation, 
even more than the luiited obedience of all creatures could 



232 EXTRACTS FROM [No. 

have done. While the Father, in not making any abate- 
ments, or relaxing in one single point, on account of his 
infinite love to his only-begotten Son, or for his personal 
worth and dignity, more convincingly demonstrated his re- 
gard to the honor of his law, and his unalterable judgment 
of its transcendent excellency, than can be conceived to be 
in any other way possible. 

^'. But, though the first Adam, as surety for his posterity, 
who could have no guilt to answer for previously to Ids 
transgression, had only active obedience to perform ; yet the 
second Adam, as surety for sinners^ must also be obedient 
unto deathj even the death of the cross : that is, the penalty, 
as well as the precept of the law must be honored. — Nothing 
can be more obvious than this provision. This apostate 
world resounds from one end to another with clamors against 
this part of God's word. The very mention of eternal 
damnation is reprobated as horrible. Tyranny, cruelty, 
and such like terms are applied by apostate rebels to the 
righteous denunciations of their offended sovereign : for 
the self-same reason that traitors and robbers execrate those- 
cruel laws which condemn them to death. And, if any man, 
out of zeal for his Maker's honor, and benevolent compas- 
sion for his fellow sinners, venture in plain terms to tell 
them their guilt and danger, he immediately becomes the 
object of their scorn and execration. In short, this thought 
that the curse of the law is needlessly severe, is congenial 
to the human heart. 

^^ But, if such be indeed the sanction of the divine law ; 
if eternal damnation be denounced against all transgres- 
sors ; and if God's subjects, so far from submitting to his 
righteousness in this particular, openly quarrel with it, and 
scruple not to charge him with tyranny and cruelty ; it 
surely must be highly necessary that, in exercising mercy 
for the pardon and salvation of sinners, he should adopt 
some decisive measure for vindicating his own honor, and 
convincing the v/orld of his justice ; lest it should seem as 
if he tacitly acknowledged himself wrong, and was makhig 
them an amends. 

^^ For this end the divine surety was made a curse for us, 
when he redeemed us from the curse of the laiv 

" Let us consider the whole rational creation, every intel- 
ligence that ever was, or ever shall be created, receiv- 
ing information of this event — that, when God of his most 
rich mercy to sinful men, whom he judged righteous- 



XlV.] AN UNPUBLISHED WORK. 233 

\y deserving of eternal damnation, purposed to spare, for- 
givoj and save them ; in order that none might think worse 
of his I'dWy or better of sin, or that he would not punish sin 
as the law denounced, because it would have been too se- 
vere to do it ; he in their stead punished his only-begotten 
Son, and spared him not, but caused the sword of justice to 
awake against him and smite him ; let them be informed of 
this, (as doubtless they will be, and will they not see and 
acknowledge that God's hatred of sin, and determination to 
punish it inflexibly and impartially, are more displayed in 
this transaction than in not sparing the angels that sinned 
or even in eternally punishing every individual trans- 
gressor ? 

" Let but the divine dignity of the Son of God : the infi- 
nite love of the eternal Father to him; the excellence and 
glory of his character ; the perfection and willingness of 
his obedience ; and the intenseness and complication of his 
sufferings, from the contempt and cruelty of man, the 
temptations of the devil, and those horrors, with which 
doubtless the combined forces of hell in that hour assaulted 
his soul : let his sufferings in body and mind, by the deter- 
minate counsel and foreknowledge of God^ though by the 
wicked hands of men, be well considered : then contemplate 
the eternal Father not sparing^ but delighting to bruise his 
well-beloved Son — to pound him as in a mortar, the ori- 
ginal v/ord implies : then remember that he was icoiinded 
for our transgressions^ was bruised for our iniquities ; that 
the chastisement of our peace icas upon him^ and that ?cith 
his stripes we are healed : that all ice like sheep have gone, 
astray^ and the Lord laid upon him the iniquity of us 
all : and then let us determine whether this was not a more 
evident attestation of his infinite hatred of sin, and of his 
absolute approbation of the curse of the law, us righteous 
and reasonable, than if he had without mercy inflicted it 
upon us all. 

" The event plainly evinces that the eternal misery of 
sinners is not an act of arbitrary choice in God : that he 
does not delight in their death ; but that it has its founda- 
tion in the nature and reason of things ; and must be so, if 
God be perfect, if he judge of things as they really are, 
proportion his love or hatred to the good or evil he sees 
in them, and order his conduct accordingly. For, when 
his infinite love prevailed in shewing mercy to sinful men, 
Wis infinite hatred of sin, and regard to justice, influenced 

20* 



234 EXTRACTS F'ROM [No. 

him to give his only Son to be the propitiation for their 
sins ; and, when he would spare them^ he would not spare 
him. 

" Nor doth the conduct of the divine Mediator less une- 
quivocally proclaim tlio same truths. Though he was so 
far from having merited any punishment, that he had more 
honoured the law of God than all creatures can ever do, 
and therefore was on his own account no ways liable to 
deathj which is the wages of sin ; having also a body and 
soul properly liis own, and at his own disposal, yet most 
willingly and cheerfully did he give up both body and soul 
a sacrifice for sin ; and without one murmur or complaint, 
without any reluctancy or impatience, bore all that pain, 
anguish, contempt, horror, wrath, and vengeance which sin 
had merited — the infinity of his person fully compensating 
the temporary duration of his sufferings. The language of 
this conduct of the Son of God is most plainly this : ' I 
delight in the whole law ; that dreadful penalty which the 
law denounces against every transgressor, and which ex- 
cites such rancorous enmity in the hearts of sinners, and 
causes such blasphemous clamours against the divine admin- 
istration, I cordially approve. Though my heart is filled 
with immense compassion and tenderest love for sinners, 
and is fixed in the gracious purpose of effecting their salva- 
tion, yet do I declare sin to be that evil thing which this 
awful sentence implies. I will vindicate with my dying 
lips the righteousness of God therein : and rather than the 
sanction of the law should be in the least dishonoured 
through the remission of sin, and the exemption of trans- 
gressors from the curse, I myself will be made a curse, 
and thus in their stead suffer the deserved vengeance ; that 
all the universe to all eternity may see and know, that I 
deem every sinner deserving of eternal misery ; that God 
may be glorious in his impartial justice, and rich abounding 
mercy.^ 

PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL— INVITATIONS. 

" And now, alt that was requisite having been done to 
manifest God's awful hatred of sin, and inflexible justice 
in punishing it, for the instruction of all his subjects in this 
part of his character to all eternity : every impediment 
being thus removed, the gracious propensity of the divine 
natuie, which is love, and which induced him to take these 



XIV.] AN UNPUBLISHED WOKK. 235 

previous steps, that he might honourably shew mercy, 
breaks forth into exercise. ...... .All things bein^ now ready, 

the servants are sent forth to invite the guests. Minis- 
ters commissioned^ and qualified from the fulness that is in 
Christj are sent into all the world to preach the gospel to 
every crea,ture ; and, having informed them of the suitable 
and sufficient preparation made in and by the Son of God, 
to invite them to return to God through Christ by faith, 
that they may receive pardon righteousness, and eternal 
life. These invitations are to be made as unlimited as 
possible ; to every creature ; to the chief of sinners^ and 
meanest of sinners. Let Mm that is athirst come^ and who- 
soever WILL let him take of the water of life freely . They 
are to be made as free and unencumbered as possible ; with^ 
out money and without price. The waters of salvation flow 
in rich abundance, and the poorest are welcome to as 
much as they want. Nothing is required as price, or 
even as a qualification or condition, but merely to come to 
the waters and draw. — Yet further the invitations are to 
be Rs pressing as possible. The servants are to compel 
men to come in ; not by severities, but by affectionate in- 
treaties, earnest expostulations, solemn warnings, repeated 
invitations, and every argument which has a tendency to 
convince the judgment or persuade the heart. Yea, they 
nre even to represent God himself as beseeching them by 
his embassadors to be reconciled unto him; as commanding 
all men every where to repent^ and believe in the name of 
his son .Jesus Christ. They are to assure them that the 
Lord Jesus icill cast out none that come ; but hath engaged 
his word to give all spiritual blessings to all, without excep- 
tion, who sincerely ask for them ; closing with this sol- 
emn declaration. He that believeth and is baptized shall be 
saved^ but he that believeth not shall be damned. 

" Now, we may be quite sure that the holy God, whose 
character has been spoken of, is perfectly sincere in this, 
and in good earnest means what he says. A contrary sup- 
position would be highly derogatory to the moral excel- 
lency of the divine character. Many preachers, however, 
not perceiving the consistency of such invitations, sincerely 
made, with some other parts of their scheme ; leaning to 
their own understandings and paying more regard to human 
reasonings than to the oracles of God ; omit this most im- 
portant part of their ministry — tp the inconceivable hurt 
c^f true religion. 



236 EXTRACTS FROM [Na. 



EFFECT OF UNLDIITED OFFERS. — MAN'S EN- 
MITY TO THE GOSPEL. 

" But may not this matter be made clear and consist- 
ent in the following manner ? That God who foresaw chat 
even holy creatures left to themselves^ and not upheld by 
hinij might and would ch-'.nge, and sin, foresaw likewise 
that it would not be in the heart of fallen creatures to re- 
pent, or turn to God, or believe such truths as are contain- 
ed in the gospel : that their self-admiriiig, self (^xccs'ng, 
carnal hearts would take fire at such alironting treatment 
as being charged with rebelhon and enmity against him, 
and being righteously condemned to everlasting misery : 
that not only would the preaching of the cross be to them 
foolishness^ and so excite their contempt ; but that it would 
likewise be considered as an unjust attack upon their 
characters, and so excite their indignation and resentment. 
He foresaw that the same enmity against him, which dis- 
posed all men to break and quarrel with the law^ would 
dispose all men to despise and quarrel with the gospel, as 
intended to put honor on the law. Pie knew what was 
in their hearts : but he determined that they and others 
should know it too, that ecery moutli might he stopped : that 
the whole rational creation might witness the malignant 
nature and effects of sin. and the ivreconcilable enmity of a 
sinner's heart to the glory of God : that they miglit adore 
his righteousness in the condemnation of the impenitent, 
and his triumphant mercy in the salvation of his people : — 
that theloftiness of man might bebo?recl doicn^and thehaugh' 
tiness of man might be made loir, and the Lord alone be ex- 
alted in that day. Therefore shall salvation be freelv offer- 
ed to all, without exception, who hear the gospel : thus all 
who are willing to accept it in God's way are assured of a 
cordial welcome, and those who remain unwilUng, are shewn 
to b^ w^ithout excuse — their destruction is of themselves. 
Men w^ould persuade others, and even themselves, that 
they are very willing, and desirous of being reconciled unto 
God, if he be but willing ; and tliat, if the reconciliation do 
not actually take place, the fault will not be theirs. But 
now, when God reveals himself as in Christ reconciling the 
itorld unto himself and most sincerely invites them, yea, 
most graciously beseeches them to be reconciled, the event 
demonstrates their utter unwillingness, and that, whatever 



XlV.] AN UNPUBLISHED WORK. 237 

excuses they may make, they perish for this only reason, 
that they will not come unto Christ that they might have 
life, 

DISTINGUISHING GRACE. 

'^ But the Lord knew that, left to themselves, none 
would be thus willing ; and therefore he saw the whole hu- 
man race as having, by breaking his law, become his en- 
emies, and, by their universal disposition to despise and 
hate the gospel, (as the reception it has always met with 
abundantly manifests,) persisting in that enmity : and he 
did not judge himself in any way bound to do more for 
them. No one of them has any thing to urge why the law 
should not take its course, and sentence be executed. 

" But though all might have been left to perish, con- 
sistently with perfect justice, a God of love will not be dis- 
appointed of the ineffable joy and glory of shewing mercy. 
Therefore, as sovereign, he determines, as it seems best 
to his infinite wisdom, without assigning his reasons to us, 
to have mercy on whom he ivill hav& mercy ^ and whom he 
willj among this justly lost and condemned race, he harden-^ 
eth, (Rom. ix, 18.) — Nothing is wanting to the salvation of 
any or every one but a willing mind : and they, who live 
and die persisting in their unwillingness to be saved in 
God's way, will never dare at God^s tribunal to impeach 
his conduct for not saving them in their own way ; or for 
not making them willing^ when they were obstinately set 
against it. 

" But, though God does not esteem this a debt which he 
owes to any of his enemies, yet he judges that he may con- 
fer it as a rich favor on any one, or on any number that he 
pleases. And this he actually does : he regenerates one, 
and not another : one thus becomes ivilling, the other re- 
mains still unwilling. 

" And indeed, if men be all of one nature, and if all do 
not go to one place : if at the general judgment some shall 
be found meet for the inheritance of the saints in light^ as 
vessels of mercy afore prepared unto glory : and others shall 
be found justly deserving of everlasting punishment, and 
vessels of wrath fitted for destruction : and if, as the scrip- 
ture declares, it is God that maketh one man to differ from 
another, in a way that is good ; and if this difference be 
made by a work which the only wiso God judges to bq 



238 EXTRACTS PROM [No. 

properly denominated a neiv creation^ regeneration^ a resur- 
rection from the dead : if some are made thus to differ from 
their former selves, as nmch as from others, and the rest 
remain as they were ; and if all their future conduct which 
distinguishes them from the ungodly, as God's servants, and 
holy persons, springs from this original change of their 
hearts : then the view of things before given is evidently 
just, and eminently important — namely, that a righteous 
and merciful, a wise and sovereign God judged men in gen- 
eral, and every one of them, to be so inexcusable in their 
rebellion, and obstinate in their enmity, that, left to them- 
selves, they would hate and despise his gospel, as univer- 
sally as they had broken and quarrelled with his law ; that 
therefore he should bo not only fully justified, but greatly 
glorified in leaving any or all of them to perish in their 
rebellion ; and, at the same time, that he had a full right 
to select whom he would as objects of his most free mercy, 
and monuments of the power of his grace, without any 
injury to the rest ; and by a new creation to overcome 
their obstinacy, and make them willing to accept his gra- 
cious invitations. 

ELECTION. 

" And now, if in fact God does regenerate one, and leave 
another unregenerate, and thus makes one to differ from 
another, it is plain he does it intentionally ; that is. he in- 
tended to do it before he actually performed it : and if it 
be just and right in God actually to do this work for one 
and not for another, it could not be unjust or wrong to in- 
tend to do it — unless it can be wrong to intend to do right : 
and, if God might justly intend to make this difference half 
an hour before he made it, he might with equal justice, in 
his foreknowledge, intend to make it from, before the foun- 
dation of the world : and this is all which I suppose the 
scriptures to mean by election. Nor can any thing be ob- 
jected against this view of this obnoxious doctrine, which 
does not equally go to deny the justice of God in regene- 
rating one and not another ; that is to say, stripped of all its 
false colorings, to deny to God, the sovereign of the world, 
that right which each of his subjects claims to himself, to 
do what he loill with his own. If any man suppose that God 
is indebted to him, let him make out his claim, and it shall 
^suredly be paid him : but if God owes us ^othino^, but we 



XIV.] AN UNPUBLISHED WORK. 2S§^ 

have ungratefully rebelled against him to whom we owe 
our all ; and, when invited and intreated, refuse to be recon- 
ciled in his way, or unless he excuses us^ and blames him- 
self and his law, to humor our pride and self-love ; what 
awful impiety is it to charge him with partiality and tyranny 
because he does what he will with his own, and has mercy 
on whom he will, and on them only ! 

'' In short this (I trust scriptural) view of this much dis- 
puted, but little understood doctrine, stamps the deepest 
stigma on human nature, exhibiting men as universally, in 
their carnal minds, enmity against God to such a degree 
that nothing but Almighty power could make them willing 
to be reconciled : and therefore no wonder that man's 
proud self-admiring heart rages even to blasphemy against 
it. But at the same time it places the triumphant love 
and mercy of God in the most glorious and stupendous 
light ; as foreseeing all these things, and yet determining to 
give his own Son to bleed and die for such enemies ; and 
also by his efficacious grace to overcome the obstinacy of 
numberless millions, and, making them willing in the day of 
his power ^ to form them a people for himself to shew forth 
Ms praiseP 

WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 

" Hitherto we have considered the love of God the 
Father in sending his only Son into the world, and the 
love of God the Son in giving himself for our redemption ; 
but the love of God the Holy Ghost must also be man- 
ifested, and glorified in this great work. This then is his 
work of condescending, compassionate and generous love, 
— to apply to our poor, guiltj^, polluted souls, what the Son 
of God purchased on the cross ; to pour new light into our 
darkened understandings ; to implant a new capacity of 
perceiving and delighting in spiritual excellency ; to re- 
move those hindrances which Satan, by means of our pride, 
prejudices, and love of the world had thrown in the way ; 
and thus to enable us to see things as they really are, or as 
God sees them ; to judge of them as he judges ; and thus 
to influence our wills to choose the good and refuse the evil ; 
and so to give an entire new direction to our affections and 
consequently to our conduct. 

" If we consider the divine majesty and purity of this 
glorious agent, and the infinite hatefulness of sin to him ; 



^40 EXTRACTS FROxM [No. 

the meanness, guilt, and pollution of the sinner's heart, 
when he begins to work upon it ; the opposition made by 
our proud carnal minds at the first ; and the ingratitude, 
neglect, unteachableness, and perverseness with which he 
is still treated by us, even to the last ; we shall scarcely, or 
not at all, less admire and adore the unwearied tender love 
of the divine Sanctifier, than that of the Redeemer ; but 
shall most cordially join in that orthodox ascription of 
praise ; ' Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the 
Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever 
shall be, world without end. Amen.' '' 

DISCOVERY OF THAT WORK— ENTHUSIASM 
PRECLUDED. 



^' Things being thus planned in the counsels of God, and 
every needful preparation made, the gospel of salvation is 
preached to sinners ; the suitableness, sufficiency, and ten- 
der love of the Saviour are represented to them, and the 
nature, excellency, and preciousness of the blessings he 
bestows laid open ; and all is in Jehovah's name freely of- 
fered to men in general, and to every one in particular, 
who is willing to accept of it, and apply to Jesus Christ in 
believing prayer for it. Hearing these things thus set 
forth, some, having their hearts touched by the influences 
of the Holy Spirit, feel a willingness before unknown, to 
return to God in this appointed way, and a desire, be- 
fore unfelt, after the salvation they have heard of; accom- 
panied by a conviction of its absolute necessity and infinite 
importance, and a pressing anxious fear of failing of it. — 
These persons are generally ignorant of the origin of these 
new desires and apprehensions ; seldom or never conceive 
themselves to be at this time regenerate ;* and frequently 
are total strangers or enemies to the doctrine of regenera- 
tion : yet they are disposed, and in some measure encoura- 
ged by what they hear, to attempt approaching to God, 
through Christ, by prayer, and thus seeking the blessings of 
salvation. 

" Such persons derive not their encouragement from 
any impression, or new revelation informing them of God's 
everlasting love to them, that Christ died for tkem spe- 
cially, and intends to save them ; nor from confidently be- 

* Or " renewed in the spirit of their minds." 



XIV.] AN UNPUBLISHED WORK, 241 

iieving, without evidence, that this is the case, and ground- 
lessly ascribing this enthusiastical, presumptuous confi- 
dence to the Holy Ghost : (by which things Satan trans- 
formed into an angel of light J has done immense mischief 
to religion in this age :) but, in hearing the gospel preach- 
ed, and reading the word of God, they are convinced, and 
do believe, that God loves sinners, that Christ died for 
sinners, that the gospel invites sinners, all sinners. ' All 
that tvill may come : the worst may come : therefore /, be- 
ing now willing, however vile, may come ; and coming 
aright (which I pray God that he would teach me to do,) 
I shall not be cast out ; for him that cometh he will in no 
wise cast out,'' This is their language. Thus the old 
revelation is abundantly sufficient to encourage those who 
believe it to come to and trust in Christ, for all the bless- 
ings which he is exalted to bestow ; without our giving 
countenance to any pretended new revelations, or inventing 
a new sort of faith, consisting in the belief of a proposition*" 
not contained in scripture, — to the deforming and disgrac- 
ing of religion, and deluding the souls of men by enthusiasm 
and counterfeit experience.'^ 

THE LAW MAGNIFIED BY THE WORK OF THE 
HOLY SPIRIT. 

^^ If God has ever shewn himself so determined to put 
honour on his law as we have seen, both in the destruction 
of fallen angels, and in the method which he has adopted of 
saving fallen men, will he lose sight of this his determina- 
tion in the application of redemption ? By no means. Still 
he will magnify the law and mahe it honourable 

1. CONVICTION OF SIN BY THE LAW. 

^' He has appointed the preaching of the law, in the 
strictness, extent, and spirituality of its demands, and in the 
severity of its sanction, and in the righteousness and ex- 
cellency of both, as the general means of bringing sinners 
to see their guilt, and misery, and need of salvation. — 
When the law of God is laid open and applied to the con- 
science, and it is proved, from the word of God, that it 

* Namely, that Christ died for me^ A. B., in a spccfal sejnse, so (hat he 
will certainly save me, 

21 



242 EXTRACT FROM [NO. 

requires a perfectly holy heart and life ; supreme love to 
Godj and equal love to man, influencing every imagination, 
intention, and affection of the soul, every word that is 
spoken, and every action that is done, to perfect con- 
formity with the divine will ; entire devotedness to God's 
service, and zeal for his glory, and for the universal bene- 
fit of all men, in the most disinterested manner, from the 
beginning to the end of life : when it is declared in God's 
name, and by his authority, that every failure of this 
obedience is sin, and that every sin is deserving eternal 
death : that cursed is every one that continueth not in 
all things written in the hook of the laic to do them ; and 
that this curse shall be executed when even the merciful 
Jesus shall, as Judge of all, say to the wicked, Depart^ 
ye cursedy into everlasting jire^ prepared for the devil and 
his angels : when further it is shewn, by a declaration of 
the divine perfections, and of our relations and obligations 
to God and to one another, that this law is holy^ and justy 
and good ; that the transgression of it is infinitely wrong 
and base, and the penalty righteously merited : — then the 
proper means are used to bring sinners to see their lost 
condition, and to cry. What must I do to he saved ? And, if 
the divine Spirit by his blessed influences accompany the 
word, then the sinner's understanding being enlightened, 
his judgment is convinced; his conscience, being stired up 
10 do its office, anticipates the judgment of God ; and he is 
self-condemned. Inwardly consenting to the law that if is 
goody he sees by this light what he ought to be : comparing 
his former conduct, his present dispositions, his best days 
and best works, with this perfect rule, his oicn heart con- 
demns himy and he becomes more and more sensible that, 
according to this divine rule of judgment, God will con- 
demn him too. Thus hy the law h€ hecomes dead to the law^ 
renounces his dependence on and expectation from it ; 
suhmits to God^s righteousness; condemns himself; des- 
pairs of help from himself ; and, as a poor hell-deserving, 
helpless rebel, casts himself, as his only possible remedy, 
on God's free and sovereign mercy. God he merciful to 
mcy a sinner / is now the genuine language of his humbled 
heart ; however moral and strict his former conduct may 
have been in the sight of man. 

* Gal. ii. 19. 



XIV.] AN UNPUBLISHED WORK« 243 



REPENTANCE. 

" Thus true repentance is begun in the heart, which in- 
creases continually in the experience of the sincere and 
thriving Christian. When he is enlightened by the Holy 
Ghost to a discovery of the loveliness and glory of God, 
and of his own obligations to him, he then perceives the 
reasonableness and excellency of the law; then he discerns, 
not only the danger he has incurred by transgressing it, to 
alarm his apprehensions, but especially the evil, the base- 
ness, ingratitude, and odiousness of his conduct, to the 
humbling and breaking of his heart for sin. He hath per- 
verted that ivMcli was rigid :^ and his own character and 
conduct appears odious in his eyes : he abhors himself .'"f he 
loathes himself in his own sight\ for the abominations of his 
heart and life : his mouth is stopped : his excuses are si- 
lenced : his self-admiration is turned into self-abasement : 
his godly sorrow is excited : he is truly grieved and pained 
at heart for his sins — and not only or chiefly for the punish- 
ment which he fears : and this godly sorroiv ivorJceth repen" 
tance unto salvation not to he repented of And, the more 
he sees of the glory of the divine character, and of the ex- 
cellency of the divine lav>^, in all his subse€|uent discoveries 
to the end of his days ; though they serve to remove terror, 
and to inspire confidence and consolation ; yet, so far from 
putting a stop to the flow of godly sorrow and repentance, 
increasing love and gratitude to God, produce an increasing 
sense of the hatefulness of sin, set the heart more against 
it, and fill the soul with more deep humiliation and re- 
morse on account of it : and the more a man grows in all 
other graces, the more natural do godly sorrow, self-abase- 
ment, and deep repentance become to him. So that, 
though true repentance does not, as some suppose, first 
spring from a view of Christ dying for us^ in particular^ 
but from a discovery of the glory of that God whom wo 
have offended, of the goodness of that law which we have 
broken, and of the hatefulness of those sins which we have 
committed ; yet the after discovery, by faith, of the glory 
of God in the gospel, if genuine, tends greatly to enlarge 
our repentance : and even the full assurance of hope^ and 

*.Job. xxxlii. 27. f -Tob. xlii. 6. t Ezek. xxxvi. 31. 

§ Sec note on the Pilgiim's Progress, quoted above, p. 140, Ml. 



244 EXTRACTS FROM [Ne. 

the utmost certainty that any true saint ever enjoyed that 
Christ died for liwi^ and would certainly save Mm, would 
still more and more deepen repentance, and promote 
self-abasement. — And hereby true faith, in its first risej 
in its after growth, and in its full maturity, is distinguished 
from that dead faith, which, by increasing confidence, 
destroys any appearances of repentance, with which in 
its feebler state it might, through fears of hell, be accom- 
panied. 

2. THE GLORY OP THE GOSPEL SHEWN BY THE LAW. 

^' The law thus seen in its glory (for the ministration of 
i'ondemnation is glorious^)^ shews the humble repenting 
sinner the real glory of the gospel. — The preaching of the 
cross is to them that perish foolishness : and this for many 
reasons ; but, eminently, because they see no need of it : 
and it must needs appear foolish to a rational creature, for 
any one to put himself to great trouble, loss, and suffering, 
to effect a purpose which might have been as well either 
efiected without it, or not effected at all. But, except a 
man really see the glory and excellency of the law, both 
in its precept and its penalty, he cannot possibly see any 
need there was for the incarnation, sufferings, and death 
of the son of God, to put honour upon it in the sight of the 
whole universe, in order that God might honourably par- 
don, justify, and save those who had broken it The 

more extraordinary this transaction was, the more unac- 
countable and foolish must it appear in the eyes of him 
who sees not the excellency and goodness of the law. If 
he be consistent with himself, and understand his own sen- 
timents, it must appear to him that the purpose of confer- ^ 
ring such honour on the law had better never have been 
accomplished at all ; and that the salvation of sinners 
might have been better effected another way ; namely, by 
an act of sovereign mercy, without any satisfaction to jus- 
tice.'^ 



DELUSIVE EXPERIENCE. 



iC • 



■ These things I would state strongly, in order to shew 
that antinomianism borders much more nearly upon Socin- 



^1 

;hew ■ I 



^ 2 Cor. iii. 9, 



XIV.] AN UNPUBLISHED WORK. 245 

ianism and infidelity than any of the parties are willing to 
allow : and thus, so far as my feeble voice shall be heardj, 
I would sound the alarm, and endeavour to excite the watch- 
fulness of all triie Christians and ministers against this 
insinuating mischief; which underhand, and without avow- 
ing itself, probably does as much or more harm to the 
cause of God in this age and nation, than any one of the 
numerous heresies which prevail ; because it is more spe- 
cious, less suspected, and therefore less opposed. Nor do 
I scruple to aver that all those supposed converts, howev- 
er numerous and in other respects specious, who see no 
glory and excellence in the law of God ; who think hardly 
of it, and cannot bear to hear it much insisted on in preach- 
ing ; who use derogatory language concerning it, and have 
a fixed antipathy to ministers who stand up for its excel- 
lence ; IF THEIR EXPERIENCE BE CONSISTENT, are mere stony 
ground or thorny ground hearers. — Let no man deceive 
himself; he who indeed sees no glory in the law of God, 
which St. Paul calls holy^ j^^f^ ^^d good, cannot possibly 
perceive any glory in the gospel, which is designed by God 
to put honour on the law. He really has no more know- 
ledge of, or love for the intrinsic excellency of the one than 
of the other ; however his self-love, which influences him to 
hate the ministry of condemnation j may, by co-operating with 
a strong delusion concerning his own good state, influence 

him to a selfish love of the ministration of righteousness 

'^ I cannot help expressing my melancholy apprehen- 
sions that this sort of religion and experience is too com- 
mon amongst us, and too little guarded against. May God 
of his infinite love and mercy stir up the hearts of all his 
faithful ministers to oppose it ; and to counteract that ma- 
licious enemy, who thus carries on his black designs, trans- 
formed into an angel of light I 

" He then, who perceives the spirituality and excellency 
of the law, understands in consequence the malignant na- 
ture of sin, and the insufficiency of any temporal suflferings 
of his own to atone for it ; and by the same light he sees 
the sufficiency of the atonement of Christ in our stead. 
He sees the utter insufficiency of his own defective right- 
eousness to jutify him before God, who requires truth in 
the inivard parts ; and by the same light he discovers the 
sufficiency of the divine righteousness of the Mediator for 
that purpose. Seeing then that in this way God is Just, 

21* 



24G EXTRACTS FROM [No, 

and the justijier of him that helieveth in Jesus ; convinced 
by this internal glory of the gospel that it is indeed from 
God, he truly believes ; in prayer icaits for the hope of 
righteousness by faith ; and receives the gift of righteous- 
ness from God — by which gift or imputation it becomes his 
own : and now he is allowed to say, He^ who knew no sin, 
was made sin for us^ that ice might he made the righteous- 
ness of God in him, — Thus the law is our schoolmaster to 
bring us to Christ , that we might be justified by faithP 

3. THE LAW A RULE OF LIFE. 

It may possibly assist the apprehension of some readers 
to observe, that we are said to be under the law as a cove- 
nant^ when we are to stand or fall by our own obedience 
or failure of obedience to it. This is to be understood as 
having been the case of Adam in his probation. But we 
are under the law as a rule of life only, when it forms, in- 
deed, to us the standard of our duty, every deviation from 
which calls for repentance, and needs to be pardoned, but 
shall not be imputed to us to condemnation. And this, it 
is contended, is the case of every true believer in Christ. — 
This premised, we proceed with the extract. 

'^ God doth further honor his law, in the application of 
redemption, by delivering it through the hands of a Me- 
diator, to be a RULE or life to all true believers ; who are 
not without law to Gody but under the law to Christ. 

'' If the moral law have its foundation in the reason and 
nature of things, it must necessarily be, in substance, unal- 
terable : for, being perfectly right and good, suited to the 
nature and relations of God and man, and resulting from 
them, if it were to be altered it must be for the worse : 
which must be impossible to an infinitely wise and good 

God Indeed, as the loveliness of God manifested in the 

gospel, and the rich goodness exercised towards every true 
believer, immensely transcend every thing that had before 
attracted the attention of any creature ; every such char- 
acter must be under vastly greater obligations to love and 
obey God than before ; and sin, the transgression of the law, 
must in him be immensely baser. 

" The truth of our present proposition might be argued 
vastly more at large from almost innumerable passages of 
the New Testament, wherein Christians are exhorted to 
perform the duties which the law required, and to avoid 



XIV.] AN UNPUBLISHED WORK. 247 

the sins which the law forbad, by the same motives by 
which these things are enforced upon other intelligent 
agents ; namely the reasonablenes, excellency, and profit- 
abless of the perfect will and law of God ; and frequent- 
ly also by motives peculiar to themselves ; such as the ex- 
ample of Christj and the obligations of redeernnig love ; and 
not unfrequently this is done with express quotations from 
the ten commandments, which are the very law of God that 
lay at the foundation of the covenant of works.— Every 
where the blessed Redeemer and his holy apostles speak 
most honourably of this law, as holy^ and just ^ and good : 
and, while they are peremptory in declaring that by the 
works of the laio no flesh shall be justified before God^ they 
are equally full in enforcing it as a rule of life. — To deny 
it to be such is either to deny that the believer can sin at 
all, or to assert that there is some other rule to distinguish 
sin from righteousness, than the law of God. 

" But indeed, when antinomianism ventures forth in so 
undisguised a manner, as openly to deny the law to be a 
rule of life to believers, it seems almost in vain to combat 
it by arguments from scripture or from sound reason. Its 
abettors are then arrived at such a pitch of enthusiasm and 
spiritual pride, that argument is of no account with them : 
and we can scarcely do any thing else for them, than pray 
that God would give them repentance ^ to the acknoicledg- 
ment of the truth^ that they may recover themselves from the 
snare of the devil ^ who are taken captive by him at his will,,, 

" I would conclude this head with seriously and solemnly 
recommending to the attention of my readers the following 
words of Christ : Whosoever therefore shall break one of 
these least commandments^ and shall teach meyi so^ he shall be 
called the least in the kingdom of heaven : but whosoever 
shall do and teach them^ the same shall be called great iii 
the kingdom of heaven, 

4, THE LAW WRITTEN IN THE HEART. 

^' The law of God is likewise magnified and made hon- 
orable by the work of the Spirit in conversion, who writes 
the law in our hearts^ and puts it in our inward parts. — 
This is one great promise of the new covenant : and by it 
can be meant no less, nor any other, than that there is a 
judgment and a disposition of heart produced in every true 
believer correspondent to the law of God ; insomuch that 



248 EXTRACTS FIlOxM [Nd. 

every such person delights in the late of God after the in- 
ner man — and this in exact proportion to the degree of 
grace which he receives Indeed this is the grand distin- 
guishing criterion of true faith. ...and is made, together with 
its effect in our ohedient livesj the only decisive evidence of 
our being true believers. Hereby do loc laiow that we know 
hini^ if we heep his com7nand77ients : he that saitk I know 
hirn^ and kcepeth not his commandments ^ is a liar^ and tht 
truth is not in him, 

HUMILITY MAINTAINED BY MEANS OF 
THE LAW. 

" Thus also it is that true Christians are, to the end of 
their lives, kept humble, empty, and dependent ; even by 
comparing their conduct with the divine law, and finding 
how very far they are from coming up to its holy and 
equitable demands. — When a man is brought to some 
measure of religious seriousness and reformation, and' to a 
degree of knowledge, and ability to discourse on spiritual 
subjects, with other gifts of that nature, comparing him- 
self with himself and with others, he is very apt to shine 
in his own eyes, and to imagine that he shines in the eyes 
of others, and even in the eyes of God ; to forget his vile- 
ness ; to indulge self-admiring thoughts ; and even, in spir- 
itual pride, to fancy himself perfect — which is the very 
depth of diabolical delusion. But the true Christian, lov- 
ing the law of God, and counting all that to be sin which 
comes short of its requirements ; and daily comparing his 
heart and life with that standard, grows in humility, godly 
sorrow, self-abasement, and genuing repentance, as he 
grows in knowledge and grace : and thus, whatever his at- 
tainments or knewledge may be, he lives and dies a poor 
sinner trusting in free mercy through the atonement of 
Christ. 

" On the other hand, the false pretender to faith, being 
at heart an enemy to the law, expresses that enmity by 
words or deeds, or both ; leads a loose and negligent, if not 
a scandalous life ; is easy puffed up ; has a stupified, un- 
feeling conscience ; and, if only he can keep up his confi- 
dence of his safe state, is little troubled about his sins, 
knows nothing of godly sorrow, self-loathing, or mourning J 
for sin : but, while perhaps his ungodly life is the grief or j 
scandal of his neighborhood, he himself is little affected 



I 



XIV] AN UNPUBLISHED WORK. 249 

about it^ complains of nothing but his legality and self-righ- 
teousness, and that he is always doubting his good state ; 
and expects ministers to soothe and comfort him in every 
sermon, or he will censure and revile them. This is a gen- 
eration of tliem that are pure in their oivn ei/es^ aud yet are 
not cleansed from their filtkiness. Nor has the Lord Jesus 
or his gospel worse enemies in the world. 

" Reader, let me remind thee again, that God has deter- 
mined to magnify his hav, and make it honorable : and I 
have endeavored to shew thee in what respects. Let me 
exhort thee to examine thy heart and life on this subject : 
for delusions are many and fatal. Is the law of God writ- 
ten in thy heart ? Dost thou cordially approve it, love it, 
and delight in it ? Is it thy daily endeavor and aim to keep 
it ? Dost thou daily examine thy heart and life by it ? Art 
thou humbled before God, and abased in thy own sight, on 
account of the imperfection of thy obedience to the good 
law ot God ? Does this lead thee simply to trust God's 
free - mercy through the obedient life and death of the 
great Surety ? and influence thee to pray daily for increase 
of grace, that thou mayest hate sin more, and love holiness 
more, and keep the law better ? Dost thou press forward 
in this course, forgetting the things which are behind, and 
reaching forth unto those ivhich are before ? Is this thy 
experience, thy aim, thy prayer } If so, however weak, 
thou art certainly sincere. 13ut be not deceived: if thou 
knowest not experimentally these desires, longings, and 
endeavors, thou art yet a stranger to true religion. Be ye 
doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own 
selves. 

OBSERVATIONS GROUNDED ON THE PRECED- 
ING DISCUSSIONS. 

1. ON FAITH. 

" It must be obvious that faith, true fajth, of which the 
scriptures speak so much, and to which it expressly as- 
cribes our justification, is most simply and naturally de- 
scribed by the apostle as the belief of the truth ^ and that 
other and more intricate definitions only tend to perplex 
men's minds, to draw them off from plain scripture, and 
expose them to various delusions of Satan. The truth to 
be believed is, in general, the whole system of truths 



250 EXTRACTS FROM [No. 

revealed in the Bible ; more particularly that Jesus is the 
Christy the Son of God.* To believe that that person call- 
ed Jesus was indeed the Son of God, truly and properly 
God manifest in the flesh ; that he who was crucified on 
Calvary was Emmanuelj the creator and upholder of all 
things ; that he became man, lived in suffering and died in 
agony to expiate our sins, that God the Father might he 
just and the justifier of the true believer ; and that this 
same person, risen from the dead, is now exalted in glory, 
and invested with all authority, as the anointed prophet, 
priest, and king of his church ; to believe this truly and 
heartily is faith : and he that thus believeth that Jesus is the 
Christ is horn of God.f 

" But no man can properly believe this truth without 
some measure of knowledge and belief of many other 
truths. Especially he must believe man, all men, every 
man, himself to be so absolutely and deservedly lost, that 
they must all have perished, or God would not have been 
just, unless this wonderful plan had been formed and execu- 
ted. And he who does see things in this light, with appli- 
cation to himself, is effectually driven from all self-excusing, 

self-depending hopes Again he must believe that there is 

in God a fountain, full, overilov/ing, inexhaustible of love, 
free, rich, and self-excited.... ..That, as a holy God hath 

shewn himself so determined in punishing sin, yet so in 
earnest in saving sinners, he now can consistently, and will 
most freely pardon and save every sinner who truly comes 
to him in this way. And he who really believes these 
truths will have both encouragement and motive enough to 
come. So that coming to Christy trusting in Christy re- 
ceiving Christy &c., are the consequence, the certain and 

immediate consequence of a true faith 

" This, well attended to, would prevent many fatal mis- 
takes. Many persons confound two very distinct things 
together : namely, a belief that Christ is willing to save 
every one that comes to him, (by which any person may 
be encouraged to come to him and wait on him for salva- 
tion,) and a persuasion that Christ is thcir^s, hath forgiven 
themy and will certainly save them, though they have no evi- 
dence of it at all : — as if a person perishing with hunger, 
and having food set before him, instead of believing him- 
self welcome, and eating to the refreshment of nature, 

* John XX, 31- ilJohnv. 1. 



XIV.] AN UNPUBLISHED WORK. 251 

should^ in a frenzy, fancy he had eaten, and was filled ; and, 
in that vain imagination, should refuse to eat, till he perish- 
ed ! Thus these persons, instead of coming to Christ for 
pardon, fancy they are pardoned, and are in danger of per- 
ishing in this delusion." 

2. ON INTERNAL EVIDENCE. 

'' Again we may see that the ground of true faith is the 
internal glory of the gospel. External evidences have 
their use, and may be subservient to the productions of true 
faith in some instances : but they never are efficacious 
alone ; while the greater number of established believers, 
who venture all on, and part with all for, the gospel, are 
little acquainted with them. But every true believer, en- 
lightened by the Holy Ghost, sees the internal glory of the 
gospel, in such a convincing light as silences all objections, 

and produces efficacious faith The gospel has divine 

wisdom, justice, holiness, truth, and love stamped upon it, 
and it must be of God. They therefore, who would use 
the best means of being determined as to the truth of the 
gospel, would do well *to spend less time in studying con- 
troversial writers, and to apply themselves diligently to 
read the scriptures, to meditate on them, to compare one 
part with another, and with what they feel within them- 
selves, and see around them : accompanying all with 
earnest prayer to the great God to teach them the truth, 
and aiming at the same time to be impartial in their 
minds. Such persons will, I doubt not, soon be con- 
vinced." 

3. ON UNBELIEF ITS. ORIGIN AND CRIMINALITY. 

" Again it appears from what has been said, that the 
great reason of the unbelief of mankind is their self-love. 
It would be no harder to believe God than to believe man, 
but that God proposes to us such humbling mortifying 
truths, which our good opinion of ourselves will not permit 
us to receive. 

Man by nature is exceedingly disposed to self-exaltation 
and self-admiration ; and has very low and disparaging 
views of God : but the faith which the scripture requires 
implies the most abasing thoughts of ourselves imaginable, 



252 EXTRACTS FROM [No. 

and the most high, honorable, and admiring apprehensions 
of the divine majesty, purity and excellence. This renders 
it so extremely difficult for proud men to believe the gos- 
pel, however reasonoble and demonstrably true it may be. 
Thus Christ says to the Jews, How can ye believe who re- 
eeive honor one of another ? plainly implying that true faith, 
and seeking our own honor, are incompatible. On the 
other hand every species of false religion is calculated by 
the grand fabricator of error to soothe this corrupt princi- 
ple, and to feed self-exaltation and self-complacency. Well 
knowing, from his own temper, how pleasing flattery is to 
pride, his conduct ever since hath been according to his 
original artifice. Ye shall he as Gods, Schemes of religion 
being thus contrived, suited to the corrupt heart of man, 
little pains need be employed either to render them con- 
sistent or plausible, or to confirm them by argument or 
evidence : they are greedily embraced, and followed by 
multitudes, who find no inward difficulty in believing them ; 
and they are rapidly propagated in the world. This the 
history of all ages proves ; especially the preference which 
the Jews ever gave to the false prophets, who spake smooth 
things^ before the true prophets who declared to them the 
truth in the name of the Lord : and the preference given by 
the primitive churches to other teachers, rather than to the 
apostles, in particular, St. Paul, evidentlv for the same rea- 
son ; because those teachers fed their self-righteousness, and 
spiritual pride, while the apostles taught them to loathe and 
condemn themselves 

'' The love of the world also is another insurmountable 
obstacle to true faith. While the love of riches, honors, 
pleasures, predominates in the heart, and a man seeks his 
happiness in any of these things, an amazing prejudice clo- 
ses the heart against the truths of the gospel. Every prin- 
ciple in the soul will rise up in opposition to the belief of 
such truths as have been proposed 

" Hence then it appears that unbelief, being evidently 
the effect of a corrupt temper of mind, is so far from ad- 1 
mitting of any excuse, that it is the grand evidence of man's 
proud carnal enmity against God, and contempt of him. — 
It is very remarkable, that proud infidels and ill-judging 
Calvinists, on very opposite principles, agree in arguing,] 
in direct contradiction to the scriptures, that the want of] 
faith is not criminal : the former from a professed contempt j 
of doctrinal truth ; but the latter, because of the ina- 



XIV.] AN UNPUBLISHED WORK. 253 

bility of a man to believe with a true faith : as if all this 
inability were not merely the want of willy arising from 
the corrupt causes above stated ; and as if there were not 
the same inability in us to love God or man, and to exer- 
cise any right disposition , or to perform any good action 
in a proper manner : which, proceeding from moral, not 
natural inability, so far from excusing, greatly aggravates 
all the wickedness of the world. — Let such persons, pro- 
fessing themselves friends of God and the gospel, tremble 
to think, that they are pleading the cause of his enemies, 
charging the damnation of unbelievers upon God, making 
him the author of sin, furnishing their fellow sinners with 
a plausible excuse for unbelief, and assisting Satan in qui- 
eting their consciences, and hardening their hearts against 
conviction. 



4. ON ASSURANCE OF FAITH AND ASSURANCE OF HOPE. 

^^ In the next place I would observe from what has been 
discoursed, that the full assurance of faith is a very dis- 
tinct thing from the full assurance of hope, I apprehend 
that this distinction, though not generally marked by di- 
vines, is no subtilty, but is of much importance. 

'^ St. Paul speaks of the full assurance of understanding j^ 
oi the full assurance of faith ^\ and the full assurance of 
hope,\ Now, according to the principles already stated, it 
may easily be made to appear how the first of these is fun- 
damental to the second, and that to the third. 

" When the understanding is enlightened by the Holy 
Spirit, to see the glory and loveliness of the divine charac- 
ter, the excellency and reasonableness of God's law, and 
the other truths depending on these, as above explained ; a 
clue is then obtained by which to unravel the many diffi- 
culties that before perplexed the soul in Qonsidering the 
several doctrines of the gospel. Before, all appeared con- 
fused, inconsistent, contradictory, unintelligible; but now 
all is viewed in a new light. The confusion vanishes, appa^ 
rent contradictions are easily reconciled, and all appears 
consistent, harmonious, and easily deducible from obvious 
principles. But this is not attained all at once. At first a 
glimmering light breaks in upon the soul, like the day 

* Col. ii. 2. t Hel). X. 22. t Heb. vi. 1 1. 

22 



254 EXTRACTS FROM ^No. 

break in the east, and brings a convincing power with it. 
Gradually this light increases, in the diligent use of means. 
As it increases, difficulties vanish ; until at length the dili- 
gent soul rises above perplexities, and attains that full as- 
surance of understandings which makes the whole scheme 
of divine truth manifest in its harmony and glory. 

" From this full assurance of understanding springs the 
full assurance of faith, A faint and feeble understand- 
ing of the glory of divine truth produces, some degree of 
faith ; as the measure of such understanding increases, faith 
increases ; and, when the soul is enriched with the full as- 
surance of the former, the latter rises in a corresponding 
degree, and hesitation and doubt are, for the time, exclud- 
ed. But, as it is found in experience that divine truths are 
not at all times equally present to the soul ; do not at all 
times appear alike distinct, evident, bright, glorious, and 
lovely ; but with very considerable variations, arising part- 
ly from the connexion which our bodily frame has with the 
state of our souls, and partly from indolence, worldh^ cares, 
and our remaining corrupt affections, Satan's temptations, 
and the withholding of the Holy Spirit's iniluences, when 
by sin we have grieved him : hence it follows, tliat no 
man's faith is always alike firm and assured. At some times 
divine truths appear so near, real, bright, and glorious, 
that no doubt remains, and the soul embraces, delights in, 
and is influenced by them in doing and suflering, venturing 
and renouncing, without hesitation or reluctance : as if 
the truths believed were objects of sight and sense. At 
other times they appear more remote and dim and obscure : 
and, although the recollection either of the external evi- 
dence, or of the internal excellency, or of these bright and 
convincing discoveries of them, stays the mind, confirms the 
judgment, and excludes prevailing doubt ; yet unbelief 
struggles, and faith must struggle too ; and the soul amid 
this conflict acts with less vigor and more hesitation than 
at other times. Yet still that person is an assured helievery 
notwithstanding these variations and conflicts, who is so 
satisfied in his judgment concerning the truth of the reve- 
lations contained in the Bible, as to account all doubts re- 
specting them his infirmity, his temptations, his sin, and 
grief to oppose them, pray against them, and be humbled 
for them, as such ; and habitually to act as one who does 
indeed believe that things really are, and will be found to 
be as the Bible declares. 



XIV.] AN UNPUBLISHED WORK. 255 

" From this assurance of faith springs lively hope of our 
own interest in the proniised blessings. A man who has 
such a view of the internal glory of divine truth, as to be 
iiabitually and assuredly persuaded that they are from God, 
has indeed that very experience which might convince him 
that the salvation of the gospel belongs to him, and produce 
assurance of hope, if he did but know how justly to reason 
from the premises : for that God loho caused the light to 
shine out of darkness hath shined into his heart, to give him 
the light of the Icnoidedge of the glory of God in the face of 
Jesus Christ, But generally this light is small at first ; 
much darkness remains ; and many things prevent the souPs 
judging accurately in its own case ; so that it is not only 
very possible, but very common, for persons to be so deep- 
ly convinced of the truth of the gospel, and to be so in- 
iluenced by the conviction, as to be evidently proved true 
aiid assured believers — persons who have no allowed or 
prevailing doubt of its being the truth of God — who are yet 
very far from the full assurance of hope ; yea are greatly 
discouraged by fears that they have no part or lot in the 
matter. That the gospel is true they assuredly believe, and 
do not scruple to stake their all upon it, and risk their dear- 
est interests for it : that all true believers shall be saved 
they doubt not : but whether they are themselves true be- 
lievers they much doubt ; indeed their hopes of it are com- 
paratively feeble. — Now this, at first sight, may appear very 
strange : but, when we consider what cautions the Bible 
gives against deceiving ourselves ; what deceitfulness there 
is in the heart of man ; what subtelty Satan employs to de- 
ceive ; what numbers are actually deceived ; when these 
things are laid together, no wonder that a sincere humble 
person, who respects the word of God, is acquainted with, 
and jealous of his own heart, and greatly afraid of delusion 
where so much is at stake, should hesitate in this matter ; 
should not be apt to conclude at once that his faith is liv- 
ing and effectual, or to be over-confident. However, his 
faith produces a degree of hope of the right sort. ^Ly soul 
longethfor thy salvation, and I hope in thy word. He is as- 
sured that God is infinitely merciful ; that he gave his Son 
to die for sinners; that there \s forgiveness with him, con- 
sistently with his justice, and to his glory, for even the 
chief of sinners : that sinners are invited to come and 
receive freely; that rdl who come rightly are accepted; 
he is conscious that he desires to come aright : he hopes 



236 EXTRACTS FROM [No. 

that the Lord will teach him so to come — for good atid 
upright is the Lordy therefore will he teach sinners in the 
way : and so he hopes, though diffidently, that he shall be 
saved. 

'' Further ; supposing his judgment sound, and his con- 
duct conscientious and diligent, his hope grows stronger. 
Comparing daily his prevailing desires, experiences, afiec- 
tions and dispositions with what he reads in the Bible con- 
cerning those which are peculiar to true Christians, as 
distinguished from hypocrites and self-deceivers, he is con- 
scious that there is an agreement between them. Feeling 
stronger aversion to sin, and more earnest desires after ho- 
liness, love to God and man, zeal for the divine honor in 
the world, and other dispositions of the children of God ; 
accompanied with tenderness of conscience, mourning for 
sin, distaste for former carnal delights, and longing after 
spiritual pleasures, he becomes mor^ and more satisfied 
that, though he be but a feeble Christian, just beginning 
to be a Christian, yet assuredly he is one. — Thus he comes 
to an assured hope^ settled in his judgment; and is satisfied 
habitually, from the testimony of his conscience, compared 
with the word of God, that his state is safe. — But at times 
he feels more sensibly love, gratitude, delight, confidence 
in God, zeal for his cause, through the immediate influ- 
ence of the Spirit of adoption^ who, thus witnessing with 
his spirit that he is a child of God^ gives him a more delight- 
ful assurance, yea foretaste of salvation ; which not only is 
a present refreshment, but a confirmation of his assured 
hope for the future. 

TRUE AND FALSE CONFIDENCE. 

•^ But this full assurance of hope is not of that overbear- 
ing nature that nothing can shake it. It will maintain its 
vigor by means of daily exercised repentance and faith, 
amidst all the infirmities incident even to a thriving Chris- 
tian. But, as it springs from conscious sincerity in choosing^B J 
trusting, and living to Christ, and from the immediate in- 
fluences of the sanctifying Spirit ; none but the thriving 
Christian can preserve it. Flagrant sins, or great declen-?_ . 
sions, or even allowed slothfidness, will not only enfeehl^B I 
but destroy it : nor can ii ^3e restored or recovered but byl J 
de^ repentance and renewed diligence. — Herein it difiers 
frafti a false confidence. A false confidence does not spring 



XIV.] AN UNPUBLISHED WORK. 257 

from evidence. They who possess it cannot give a reason 
of the hope that is in them. They are not confident in pro- 
portion to their conscientiousness and activity in the ser- 
vice of God ; but without any regard to it. They do not 
arrive at their confidence in consequence of deep self-ex- 
aminatiouj and prayer to God to search them ; but without 
it. They do not maintain it by constant and daily watch- 
fulnessj tenderness, and diligent examination by the rules 
of the word : to this they are averse ; and they do not love 
that word which puts them upon it. They do not lose their 
confidence by slothfulness and sin.'' 

REASONS FOR INSISTING ON THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE 
ASSURANCE OF FAITH AND THE ASSURANCE OF HOPE. 

(1.) " Because they are produced by veri/ different evi- 
dence :■ — the neglect of observing which causes much confu- 
sion in the judgment, and much perplexity in the experience 
of true Christians, and is a great hindrance to their estab- 
lishment ; and leaves Satan an open door by which to enter 
to deceive others. 

" All assurance, which is not egregiously enthusiastic and 
delusory, must arise from evidence seen and perceived by 
the mind. If there be no evidence that a proposition is 
true, or if the mind perceive none, any degree of assent, 
and much more all confidence respecting it must be irra- 
tional and absurd. A wise Christian believes nothing with- 
out evidence, or with confidence disproportioned to the 
evidence. Does he assuredly believe the Bible to be the 
word of God ? His assurance arises from clearly perceiv- 
ing the evidence, external and internal, that itjs so — par- 
ticularly the excellence and glory of its contents. Doth 
he believe any particular doctrine? He believes it because 
he perceives evidence of its being contained in the scrip- 
tures : and, when on mature examination he is fully con- 
vinced that it is so, his objections are silenced, his doubts 
vanish, and he believes it with full assurance. In like 
manner, hath he the full assurance of hope ? that is, dotli 
he with full assurance believe himself a renewed man, 
and consequently in the way to heaven ? He believes this 
on evidence clearly perceived. Having learned from 
God's word what that work on the mind is, in which con- 
version to God consists ; and what are the desires, exptu'i- 
ences, conflicts, and character of a true servant of God ; on 

22* 



■* 



258 EXTRACTS FROM [No. 

a careful, daily examinatiou of his own past and present 
character and experience, with many prayers to the 
Searcher of hearts to render him impartial in the solemn 
inquiry, and to lead him to a just conclusion ; he perceives 
such an agreement between the two, as is evidence to him 
that he is the servant of God. Proportioned to the clear- 
ness w^ilh which he perceives this evidence is the degree 
of his conlidence : and, when conscious integrity and lively 
actings of grace have put this matter beyond doubt, he is 
fully assured of it ; has the full assurance of hope : and, if 
he be acquainted with the scriptural security which God has 
given that he will not forsake his people, he is fully as- 
sured of everlasting salvation. — He is certain that he is a 
Christian, though deeply abashed that his grace is so little, 
and his corruption so great ; for full assurance of hope al- 
ways, if scriptural, springs from consciousness of the reality 
of sanctification, though never from an apprehension of a 
large degree of it. The former is consistent with the pro- 
foundest humility : the latter, being a proud thought, is not 
apt to rise, much less to prevail in the heart of an assured 
Christian : and, when it does, it clouds his evidence, and 
weakens his assurance. 

'^ But sin of any sort, both by grieving the Holy Spirit, 
and by preventing the soul from perceiving the evidences 
of its conversion, always interrupts assurance, and intro- 
duces doubting in a truly gracious soul, which nothing can 
exclude, till deep repentance and lively actings of faith 
and g^race have removed the obstacles, and the evidence 
beinsf clearly perceived, assurance is restored. What then 
shall we say to that sort of full assurance which is avow- 
edlv without evidence, and against evidence — for an unholy 
life is stronger evidence against a man's conversion, than 
any story of experience can be for it ? What can we say, 
but that it is gross enthusiasm and Satanical delusion ? So 
I deliberately judge ; and thus I would avow my judgment, 
because the credit of the gospel and the interest of souls 
are at stake ; otherwise I would not wish to offend. Only 
let the scriptures be searched to see whether these things 
be so or not." 

DOUBTING. 

(2.) " I insist on this distinction, because it makes it ev- 
ident that doubting is not always unbelief, but often the 
contrary. 



XIV.] AN UNPUBLISHED WORK. 259 

'^ For want of attending to the distinction which has been 
laid down, persons at the commencement of their religious 
course are hurried on to assurance^ by being taught that 
doubting (of their own safe state) is unbelief and a great 
sin. Hence they try by all means to excite in their own 
minds a confidence of their safety ; and, being impatient of 
uneasiness and uncertainty^ they are in a great hurry to be 
delivered from their doubts, and comforted, by any means. 
This puts them off their guard, and gives Satan an oppor- 
tunity of deluding many into false comfort and vain confi- 
dence. Being now very happy, there follows a wonderful 
flow of affections, all springing too often from self-love 
under the influence of delusion.* By and by these affec- 
tions subside ; and, having no abiding principle of divine 
life, those who had been the subjects of them become ha- 
bitually dull, dead, and worldly. Now their hopes are 
shaken, and they have great difficulty to keep up their 
confidence ; and all this is called struggling against unbelief 
and a legal spirit : and, though their consciences are not 
very tender in other things, yet in this point they are very 
conscientious. All doubting of their good estate they stu- 
diously shun ; they strive to keep up their confidence ; run 
from place to place to find something to comfort them ; 
want ministers to soothe them ; abuse the doctrine of the 
final perseverance of the saints — though they have no ev- 
idence of their being saints ; and, in a word, having once 
been deluded, they must never be undeceived, but must 
live and die fighting against supposed ' unbelief — loith a lie 
in their right hands ! — For the love of Christ and of souls^ 
let all ministers guard against such a dreadful delusion ! 

'^ Now let what has been discoursed be impartially con- 
sidered, and it will evidently appear that the doubting 
which the scripture condemns is not doubting our own 
good and safe state, but doubting whether what God hath 
spoken be true ; whether he be able, faithful and willing 
to be as good^as his word ; to save true believers, and to 
provide for and preserve his people in dangers and diffi- 
culties. I would challenge any one to point out a single 
exception to this rule. — Unbelief makes God a liar ; but to 
doubt whether I am a Christian or not does not do so ; for 

* The reader must by no means suppose it meant, that in all cases lively 
affections and great happiness in the early stages of religious profession 
are thus delusive : he must attend carefally to the particulars of the caftc 
heie described. 



^GO EXTRAcrS FROM [No. 

God has no where declared that I am. — Nay he has de- 
clared that persons of such and such a character are un- 
godly, and the children of the devil : and, if I be of such 
a character, then, in proportion as I credit what God says, 
I shall not only doubt my good state, but be sure that I am 
no Christian ; and, if I do not in such a case doubt my 
safety, I evidently do make God a liar ; that is, treat him 
as such. — Again if he declares positively what is the char- 
acter of all true believers, and I either am not conscious 
that this is my character, or never examined whether it is or 
not, and yet will not dcubt of my good state, I make him a 
liar ; for I will not believe his word. 

'^ There is abundant evidence that the Bible is the word 
of God ; and we cannot be unacquainted with it but through 
pride and sloth ; and therefore to doubt of it is sinful. 
There is, further, abundant evidence that such and such 
truths are revealed in the Bible ; and it is tlierefore crim- 
inal to doubt of them : there is abundant evidence that 
Christ is able, willing, faithful, to save all that come to 
him, and very sincere in his invitations ; and therefore it is 
sinful unbelief for me to doubt his power or willingness to 
save me — in case I come arigM to hiin. But, unless I am 
conscious of sincerity in repenting of and forsaking sin ; 
casting myself on God's free mercy in Christ ; renouncing 
the world ; and giving myself up to the Lord, to serve him 
in righteousness and true holiness ; I have no sufficient 
evidence that I am a true believer : and so far is it from 
being sinful, in such circumstances, to doubt of my good 
state, that it is my bounden duty to do it ; and in that un- 
certainty to examine myself ich ether I he in the faith^* and 
never to rest till I find evidence of my conversion to God ; 
yea, and always to renew my doubting in proportion as this 
evidence disappears. 

'' It is true, when we are conscious of sincerity in these 
things, and yet indulge doubting because we are not per- 
fect, this is a sinful unbelief; because it is a refusal to be- 
lieve zchat God says, when he declares in his word that 
persons of such an experience, and affections, and charac- 
ter, are converted, and in the way to heaven ; or it is fan- 
cying that there are some exceptions — that we ourselves 
are exceptions, though conscious of the things described, I 
because there are other things opposing themselves, and 

*2 Cor. xiii. b 



XIV.] AN UNPUBLISHED WORK. 26l 

preventing our doing as we would, the things which we 
would. 

" In many ways our doubting may originate in unbelief, 
, and so be a sin ; and, at all times, it is our sin to be of such 
a character, and to live in such a way as to have cause to 
doubt : but to doubt of our Christian state when we have 
no evidence of it, but much evidence to the contrary, is 
so far right, and the only way to be brought right : and not 
to doubt, in such a case, is blind and carnal security, bold 
presumption in defiance of God's word, pernicious enthusi- 
asm, and diabolical delusion. And all assurance of our 
conversion and safe state, which rises above the degree of 
evidence which exists for it, partakes of the same charac- 
ter, and produces a measure of the same consequences. 

" Would to God these things were attended to in a man- 
ner proportioned to their importance to the credit of reli- 
gion, the glory of God and the good of souls V^ 

5. FINAL PERSEVERANCE, 

Is the next doctrine deduced from the principles already 
laid down. There is nothing uncommon in the writer's 
way of arguing in support of this doctrine, but on the use 
and application of it he has observations which deserve to 
be quoted. 

'' Not every work is that work of grace, which being 
begun, a faithful God stands engaged to perform it unto the 
day of Jesus Christ, A man may be reformed in his out- 
ward conduct ; be proselyted to a new sect ; be a convert 
to a new and orthodox system of doctrine ; have convic- 
tions and alarms followed by comforts, in a regular order ; 
be able to relate a very plausible experience with sincer- 
ity ; make a credible profession ; have high affections ; be 
endued with valuable gifts for the edification of others ; 
yea, preach like an apostle ; speak with the tongues of men 
and of angels ; work miracles ; have a flaming zeal ; abound 
in all outward duties ; outstrip real Christians in all exter- 
nal appearances, and be more free from any thing oflen- 
sive ; and yet not be converted. This is plain from many 
examples of scripture. Nor can man upon earth, from 
any external evidence, absolutely pronounce another to be 
a converted person. This is the prerogative of a heart- 
searching God. Charity hopeth all things : and we ought 
to judge favourably, so far as is consistent witli ivithdrawing 



262 EXTRACTS FROM [No. 

from those who ivallc disorderly. Light enough ministers 
and Christians may have from the words and works of men 
to regulate their own conduct : but, if they pretend to cer- 
tainty, they pretend to more than any can have respecting 
another, except by revelation. When therefore one who 
has made a high profession, like Judas, apostatizes, or 
finally falls away, we ought to say, A specious hypocrite 
is unmasked ; net, A saint has fallen away. — Though how- 
ever we cannot be assured of others, we may of ourselves, 
by the testimony of our conscience to the sincerity of our 
love to God and holiness, &c." 

We may here take occasion to remark,, that the question 
concerning the final perseverance of the saints, whether it 
be a true doctrine or not, must be decided by the evidence 
of scripture exclusively, and not at all (as is often attempt- 
ed,) by an appeed to facts : because every case adduced 
against it may be solved in one, perhaps in either, of these 
two ways, — that the person never was sincere, or that w^e 
do not certainly know his fall to have been total and final. 

As the next passage speaks of guarding the doctrine, I 
would observe, that niany persons are very averse to the 
use of this term ; it appears to convey to their minds, in- 
evitably, the idea of proposing a doctrine timidly and 
feebly, bereft of more than half its force and glory. That 
the term bore no such sense in my father's use of it, I 
trust it is superfluous to state. Then only is a doctrine pro- 
perly guarded, when it is proposed as scripture proposes it ; 
in the same manner, for the same purposes, with the same 
restrictions, and no others, and particularly in connexion 
with all those other truths with which scripture combines 
it. This premised, I proceed with my extracts. 

"Ministers, in preaching this doctrine, are particularly 
tailed well to state and guard it, lest, through inadverten- 
cy, they talce the children- s bread and cast it to the dogs : or, 
at least permit the dogs to run away with it. I rest this 
appeal with the consciences of all sober and godly men, 
whether the unguarded preaching of this doctrine has not 
done immense mischief in the church of God, by strength- 
ening the hands of those who are living in sin, that they 
shoidd not return from their evil ivays. Numbers on insuffi- 
cient grounds take it as a determined matter that they are 
saints ; and, being taught that the saints always persevere, 



XIV.] AN UNPtJBLISHED WORK. 265 

and are recovered from their declensions, they soothe them- 
selves in their sloth and worldliness ; sleep secure in sin ; 
are proof against the terrors of God's word, which belong 
to the wicked, and not (they thitik) to them ; are a scandal 
and reproach to religion : and live and die under the 
delusion 

" But not only can no man on scriptural ground take 
encouragement from this doctrine, except he have substan- 
tial evidence of his being a true Christian ; no man can 
legitimately take more encouragement from it, than in pro^ 
portion to his evidence. Therefore true saints under de- 
clension having their evidence obscured, must lose their 
assurance that they are saints, and have no right to com- 
fort from this doctrine, further than they are consciously 
sincere in repenting and turning to God. If these things 
w^ere carefully attended to, a formidable objection to the 
doctrine, drawn from the abuse of it, would he more effec- 
tually answ^ered than by volumes of controversial argu- 
ments. 

"Again, no man has any right to take encouragement 
from this doctrine, further than he is consciously sincere in 
using all the means which God has appointed for his pre- 
servation. God keeps his people by inclining them to keep 
themselves ^"^ by putting his fear in their hearts^ that they 
should not depart from him : and this makes them constant 
and diligent in using the appointed means of grace with 
earnestness ; and alarmed when slackness creeps upon 
them — by which means that evil is remedied. And, if at 
any time they get over this barrier, and grow secure, he 
rouses them by rebukes and chastisements ; which stir them 
up again to diligence : and thus he preserves them from 
falling away. The means and end are inseparable in reali- 
ty, and should never be separated in speculation. — If it were 
possible for God so to leave a true saint, that he should 
entirely cease to watch and pray, to read, and meditate, 
and hear the word, and be entirely secure in sin and car- 
nality, and live and die in such a state ; it would be possi- 
ble for such an one to perish ; yea, it would be impossible 
that he should not. But this God will never do. He will 
by the influences of his Spirit, and the chastisements of 
his rod, bring him to repentance ; and incline his heart to 
continue in a course of religion habitually and perscver- 

* Jam. i. 27. Jude 21. 1 John v. 18. 



264 EXTRACTS FROM [No. 

ingly to the end. And he that endureth to the end shall he 
saved. The rest were stony ground or thorny ground 
hearers. 

" But now, when a person has no heart to watch, pray, 
hear, read, meditate, examine himself, believe, obey ; and 
yet pretends to trust in God's engagement that true saints 
shall persevere, he perversely counteracts God's method ; 
takes for granted the very thing which wants proof, by 
assuming himself to be a true saint without evidence, 
and even against evidence ; thinks himself something ^ when 
probably he is nothing, thus deceiving his own soul ; and, 
should there be any grace in his heart, (which is ex- 
tremely unlikely ;) he takes the very method the devil 
would have him take for continuing in this awful situa- 
tion, by shutting out that fear which God puts into the 
hearts of his people to bring them back from theh' declen- 
sions. 

" This again, well considered, is the best answer to an- 
other objection against this doctrine, as if it rendered 
watchfulness unnecessary. It is not designed to comfort 
even true Christians in sloth and lukewarmness ; it being 
much better for them in such a state to be put in great 
fear ; but to cheer the diligent, active, thriving Christian in 
his conflict with Satan and the corruptions of his own 
heart ; that, while fighting, animated by the assurance of 
victory, he may fight manfully, when otherwise he would 
be discouraged by fears lest all should be in vain. And, if 
Satan and wicked men abuse this doctrine, as they do every 
other good gift of God, this should only teach the servants 
of God to protest against such abuses, not to deny the doc- 
trine of God's word, and offend against the generation of 
his children, 

CASES OF DECLENSION AND INCONSISTENCY. 

" And here I would propose it to the serious considera- 
tion of pious ministers, whether in some cases an improper 
and prejudicial method is not adopted in dealing with our 
people. When persons who have appeared for some time 
to be sincere Christians fall into any particular fault, 
though a considerable one ; or when there are many infir- 
mities which call for ministerial reproof; I readily allow 
that it is best to treat with them as Christians, — not much 
admitting the contrary supposition. But, when such per- 



i 



XIV.] AN UNPUBLISHED WORK. 265 

sons repeatedly bring scandals on the cause of Christ ; or 
habitually live an unfruitful, inconsistent life ; or have 
greatly declined in zeal and liveliness — I mean zeal for and 
liveliness in the great and substantial parts of religion : I am 
of opinion that the supposition ought not only to be put, 
but to be urged home upon their consciences, that they 
have only deceived themselves and others, and are not real 
Christians at all. — I deem it abundantly proved that no mere 
man can certainly know any other man to be a true Chris- 
tian, and ought not to judge by any thing but his fruits: 
and therefore it seems to me that a minister who sees no 
good fruit in a man's life, and yet judges him a true Chris- 
tian, and deals with him accordingly, exceeds his commis- 
sion. ....This I propose to the serious attention of my breth- 
ren in the ministry. I have no intention to dictate, as I 
have no right : but simply I propose my sentiments about 
an important part of our office, in the performance of which 
every one who feels its weight, and knows its difficulty, will 
be glad of all the light he can get from any quarter. Let 
it be candidly examined by those who love Christ and the 
souls of men ; and may the Lord give us a right under- 
standing in all things J^^ 

SCANDALS. 

With the observations just recited is connected a discus- 
sion of the case of notorious misconduct in professedly reli- 
gious persons, — proceeding precisely on the Sr)me pnnciples 
with certain papers which have been already inserted in this 
volume ; and which, as exhibiting the author's sentiments 
at a maturer period of his life, supersede the necessity of 
introducing any thing more of what he had here written, 
than the following concluding remarks : 

" Characters really unsound, as well as discreditable 
being encouraged in religious societies, open the mouths of 
opposers, quiet the consciences of those who are brouo^ht 
nnder concern about their souls ; give awakejied persons 
wrong notions of religion ; as if it were no more than a set 
of notions and a peculiar language, and not holiness of 
heart and life ; grieve and mislead true Christians ; and 
every way produce infinite mischief to the cause of God 
and the souls of men. As mortified limbs, the body cannot 
be in hcahh till they be cut off : as unfruitful branches, the 

23 



266 



EXTRACTS FROM [^0. 



vine will not thrive till they are pruned away.— But such 
persons have no higher principle than self-love ; nor higher 
aim than to be comfortable ; nor higher notion of comfort 
than being encouraged in the hope of going to heaven at 
last The glory of God, the credit of religion, the good ol 
souls, the excellency of holiness, the joy of communion 
with God, are nothing to them. All therefore that you say 
on these subjects they hear with perfect indifierence 
Thev will even bear to be reproved for their laults, and 
be willing that you should treat them as a poor sort of 
Christians, (some of them at least will bear this-for self- 
love works in different ways,) if only you wil encourage 
them to hope that they are Christians, and shall not go to 
hell— which is all they care for. So that the only way of 
coming at them, either to undeceive them for their own good, 
or to detect them for the good of others, is by telhngthem 
plainlv, that they who do so and so, and are of such a cha- 
-acterVare not Christians :— by addressing them in M. Paul s 
language. Be not deceived, God is not mocked; for whatso- 
ever a man soweth that shall he also reap ; This yc know, 
that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, 
who is an idolator, hath any inheritance in tne kinguom o) 
Christ and of God." 

THF MITHOR'S OWN VIEW OF HIS WORK, AT 
THE AI/niORS^U, ^^ ^^^ ^j^g^ p^j^.j, 

" I BY no means pretend to have laid down an exact and 
complete system of evangelical truth Possibly many things 
may have been omitted or misstated, or be redundant. I 
can only say that I have stated them as they appeared o me, 
after a carefol examination of the word of God ; much con- 
s deration of what is going on in the church and in the 
world as far as my contracted, observation extends, and of 
what has passed in my own experience ; with many earnest 
prayers to God to enlighten my understanding m the truth 
Zuis in Jesus. Nor have I made one wilful omission, 
alteration, or addition ; but as far as conciseness admitted, 
hir simply declared my views of divine truth, in such a 
manner a^ most effectually to undermine several sorts o 
doctHne which appear to me to dim the glory, corrupt 
tte purity, and Obstruct the efficacy of the gospel, and 



XIV.] AN UNPUBLISHED WOKK. 267 

to harden men in opposing or abusing it, according as best 
suits their corrupt inchnations. 

'^ In a day when even professors of strict religion are so 
miserably divided in their sentiments^ I am far enough from 
expecting that all, or even the majority, will accede to what 
1 have written. Many will no doubt think that I give too 
strong and open a testimony to the doctrines of Calvinism : 
while others, equally numerous, will, I easily foresee, be 
dissatisfied with what has been said on that subject, for 
an opposite reason. — Some will be displeased at my say- 
ing so very much on the excellency and the honour of the 
law of God, and the absolute necessity of every true be- 
liever's cordially loving and greatly delighting in it ; while 
others, I am well aware, will be equally offended at my 
entirely discarding all our personal obedience in the great 
concern of our justification ; contending that all our obedi- 
ence deserves punishment for being no better, and that we 
must be justified by faith alone receiving and pleading the 
imputed divine righteousness of Christ. Some, I foresee, 
will think I am much too strict, and that I discourse in such 
a manner as tends to exclude many who think well of their 
own state, and are thought well of in the churches of 
Christ ; while others will be ready to think I give too much 
licence by placing perfection as absolutely out of our reach 
in this life, and intimating that the best must expect to live 
and die poor sinful creatures, very far indeed from what 
they ought to be, and fain would be, and needing repen- 
tance, and forgiveness by mere mercy, through the blood 
of Christ, to the last. — Some will, I know, object to what 
has been delivered as too argumentative, and paying too 
much deference to reason ; as if all true religion, being 
from God the fountain of reason, could be other than in-r 
finitely reasonable, when rightly understood, and impar- 
tially and humbly attended to : while others will probably 
be disgusted at my standing up for doctrines so generally 
exploded by the great pretenders to reason, and allowing 
that, though nothing in religion can be contrary to true 
unprejudiced reason, yet many things may to proud, carnal, 
self-admiring men appear so ; and many really are above 
our reason, and can be known only by divine revelation 
Jmmbly believed. T/nj tesiimony is sure, and giveth wis- 
dom to the simple. 

'^ I heive no inclination to enter the lists of controversy 
with any of thcsp df3scriptions of persons, being more 



-G8 EXTRACTS FROM [No. 

pleasantly, perhaps more profitably employed ; and being 
deeply convinced that sharp and acrimonious disputation is 
not one of the weapons of a Christian's warfare, being car- 
nal^ and therefore not mighty through God for demolish- 
ing Satan's strong holds of error and vice. Let then every 
one impartially judge for himself how far what has been 
taught is scriptural: and may the God of all truth lead the 
writer and every reader more and more deeply into the 
sanctifying knowledge of his truth !^' 

CHARITY OF THE AUTHOR TOWARDS THOSE 
WHO DIFFER FROM HEM. 

^' Nor do I mean to insinuate that none are true Chris- 
tians who have not these views of divine truth. This is 
commonly objected to strenuous advocate3 .for any system 
of doctrine, but often with palpable injustice. I believe 
many Armenians are- true Christians : yea even persons 
avovting antinomian sentiments may be true Christians, 
through the inconsistency which may exist between their 
sentiments and the state of their hearts : much more than 
may persons who have embraced sentiments leaning that 
way, m'idi leading to antinomianism, and as such protested 
agairist in this work. I will not pretend to say, nor do I 
think any man can say exactly, how much explicit know- 
ledge of divine truth is absolutely essential to salvation. I 
do not mean to condemn men's persons, but their errors ; 
•iior their errors, because none can be saved that hold them, 
'but because many are deceived by means of them, many 
prejudiced, many hardened ; many sincere souls kept from 
growing in grace ; and religion much deformed, disgraced, 
and injured by them. — But this I will say, that, whatever 
darkness there may be on a man's understanding, unless 
he feels and behaves towards God as a sinner justly con- 
demned for breaking a righteous law, and expects sal- 
vation of mere grace in God's way, and as reconciled to 
God, as loving his service, and longing after holiness — 
that holiness which the law requires, — and so living holily 
in sincerity and truth, he cannot be saved, according to the 
Bible 

'^ Though some measure oithe knowledge of the glory of 
God in the face of Jesus Christ is always communicated iov i 
regeneration, and therefore he cannot be a true Christian 
whg has none of it, yet many of the regenerate have it in 



XIV.] AN UNPUBLISHED WORK. 269 

a very scanty measure ; and through prejudices of educa- 
tioHj and the want of clear instruction^ they may hold in 
their minds sentiments inconsistent with it. For it nOt only 
may be, but frequently is the case, that men hold inconsis- 
tent and contradictory principles. I should have no scru- 
ple in declaring, that every consistent antinomian is in the 
way to perdition : and yet I charitably hope that many 
individuals, theoretically adopting antinomian principles 
will be saved. The foundation is rightly laid, but hay^ 
straw, stubble are built upon it : this will be burned ; but 
they will be saved, yet so as by fire — as when a man's house 
is burned over his head. They hold sentiments derogato- 
ry to the honor of God's law ; but, through the confused- 
ness that rests on man's understanding, they hold also 
contrary sentiments ; the former are but notions, or at 
least do not entirely sway them ; the latter are vital prin- 
ciples, and they feel and act under their influence Every 

one who in any degree speaks dishonorably of the law of 
God, and yet allows the real satisfaction of the death of 
Christ, and the necessity of holiness of heart and life, does 
in words contradict himself ; and, if he understood himself, 
would perceive that he held sentiments diametrically op- 
posite to one another : — for the satisfaction of Christ's 
death was intended to put infinite honor on the law of God ; 
and holiness is no other than that law written in the heart, 
and transcribed into the life. Such persons I would not 
condemn in the gross — though I think their religion of a 
peculiarly suspicious nature, and that they have especial 
need to examine themselves whether they be in the faith : but 
I would aim to lead them to a more consistent and com- 
plete-knowledge of the truth; in part for their own profit, 
and still more for the honor of religion and the good of 
souls ; being deeply persuaded that Satan has got great ad- 
vantage by such means." 

LOVE TO GOD. 

" Every true believer sees so much of the glory and 
loveliness of God in being what he is, infinitely great and 
infinitely good, as to have a supreme and entire approba- 
tion and esteem of his whole character : and, however 
scanty his knowledge, or confused his judgment may be, or 
whatever inconsistent opinions he may from any cause 
have imbibed, yet he feelingly abhors the idea of any 

23* 



270 EXTRACTS FROM [No, 

part of the divine character being different from what it is ; 
and would not for all the world have God less holy, right- 
eous, faithful, or merciful, than he is. He who heartily 
wishes any part of God's character altered is evidently an 
enemy to what God is, and hates him at heart. Every 
truly converted persons is heartily reconciled to the divine 
perfections, and dreads as blasphemy the very thought of 
wishing God to be of another character than he is. There 
may be many things in the divine conduct which, through 
remaining darkness, he does not well understand, or see to 
be consistent with the perfections of God ; yet he is in his 
judgment so well satisfied of the divine wisdom, righteous- 
ness, and goodness, that he gives the Most High, if I may 
so speak, credit for it, that all is as it should be, though he 
cannot see it. And this submission of our poor scanty ca- 
pacities to the infinite wisdom and holiness of God is the 
very temper of a little childy without which we cannot enter 
into the kingdom of heaven, 

" Nay, not only does every true believer cordially ap- 
prove of the whole divine character as revealed in scrip- 
ture, but, so far as his views are clear and distinct, he ad- 
mires it. How great is his goodness ! and how great is his 
beauty ! He is perfectly astonished and is all amazement, 
while he contemplates the wisdom, righteousness, faithful- 
ness, loving kindness, and mercy of God, as harmoniously 
revealed in his word, and displayed in his works. He feels 
his heart at times ravished with the love of so lovely an 
object : and at the same time is astonished and humbled 
that he loves him no more. And in his judgment he is 
deeply convinced that the Lord is worthy of being su- 
premely loved, yea loved with all his powers, even when, 
to his shame and grief, he feels little love to him. Com- 
paring the loveliness of the Creator with the loveliness 
of the creatures, he perceives, in his judgment, that the 
former eclipses the latter infinitely more than the sun does 
the stars ; and is. humbled that his feelings are no more an- 
swerable to his convictions— that he loves the creature so 
much and God so little, even when his conduct evinces that 
he does love the Lord his God more than father^ or mother^ 
or wife, or child, or liberty, or life. Nay he rejoices in the 
Lord, delights himself in God! rejoices that he reigneth, 
that he is sovereign, that he is unchangeably what he is ; 
rejoices exceedingly in contemplating his wonderful works. 
His meditation of him is stoeet : His soul is satisfied, as with 



II 



XVI.] AN UNPUPLISHED WORK. 2^1 

marrow and fatness^ while he praiseth God with joyful lips, 
—He is cordially devoted to God's cause and honor, in the 
world ; and sweetly longs and prays, Hallowed he thy namCj 
thy kingdom come^ thy will he done, in earth as it is in hea- 
ven ! The advancement of the cause of God and true reli- 
gion fills him with joy ; its depression grieves him at his 
heart : nor can he be comforted but by the assurance that it 
shall finally prevail.* — He chooses God for his portion, and 
longs for no other happiness, in time and in eternity, than 
in being with God, bearing his image, beholding his glory, 
enjoying his favor, singing his praises, and serving, with all 
his powers. Him in whom his soul delighteth, — Even the 
favors which God bestows upon him, personally, most affect 
his heart as leading him to contemplate the glorious excel- 
lencies of so great and glorious a Being. 

" Every true believer has somewhat of this spirit, as is 
evident from the whole scripture : and in proportion to his 
knowledge and faith he has more and more of it. And, if 
this be once left out of religion, and, in our love to God, we 
have no regard to the perfections of his character, which 
constitute his infinite loveliness, what do we but set up an 
idol in our heart ; frame a conception of God suited to our 
own taste ; assume that he loves us ; and then, in return, 
feel a love for our own idol? For nothing can distin- 
guish the true God from idols, but the glories and excel- 
lencies of his character ? — Even thus far, in its consequen- 
ces, does the notion of not loving God for his own loveli- 
ness, but ONLY for his benefits, go ; though many who 
notionally espouse it are not aware of this, and mean no 
such thing." 

LOVING THE LAW OF GOD, THOUGH IT 
CONDEMNS US. 

" Every true believer, seeing the beauty and loveliness 
of the divine character, sees proportionably the ground 
and reason of the law of God ; and thus learns to love it. 
St. Paul delighted in the laio of God after the inner man be- 
cause it was holy, just, and good ; and David is continually 
breaking forth into the strongest expression of love to the 
law : and indeed it is written in the hearts of all true believ^ 

* Se« Daniel ii. 34, 35, 44 ; vii. 9, 10, 14, 18,27. 



2^2 EXTRACTS FROM [No. 

ers, according to the tenor of the covenant of grace,* so 
that they count all God's commajidments concerning all 
things to he right and hate every false ivay, — Antinomians 
indeed pretend that it is impossible to love a law which con- 
demns us : in direct opposition to the word of God If a 

man is betrayed into acts of treason against a lawful and 
excellent prince, so as to attempt to subvert his government 
and dethrone him : in case he ever truly repent of his wick- 
edness, he will be brought to approve the law and its sen- 
tence, as equitable, reasonable, and salutary, and will ac- 
knowledge, as the thief on the cross did, (who is an eminent 
example of a man approving the law which condemned 
him,) that he indeed suffers justly j and deserves his doom ; 
and will die exhorting the spectators to loyalty, and pray- 
ing for the welfare of his offended sovereign : and, if he 
does the contrary, if he dies quarrelling with the law, and 
the sentence denounced, it is plain that he dies impenitent, 
and an enemy and traitor at heart. And such are all those 
who quarrel with the law of God because it condemns 
them. This is sullenly to arraign the conduct of the law- 
giver, and to vindicate their own : and it argues them ene- 
mies at heart 

" Self-evident it is, that every true penitent approves of 
the law that condemns him, and that the very spirit of im- 
penitency is to throw the blame off ourselves upon the law 
and the lawgiver ; which is going about to establish our 
own righteousness, and not submitting ourselves to the rights 
eousness of God ; it is self-righteousness in its worst form. 
If it were wrong to give us so strict a law, and to condemn 
us for breaking it, then would it be reasonable for God to 
be reconciled to us without our approving of the law, or 
acknowledging the justice of our condemnation ; but, if we 
alone are to blame, then it is fitting that we acknowledge 
this, justify God, approve his law, and learn to love it, be- 
fore we are pardoned and restored to favor. And so it is, 
however men may be misled, through Satan's artifices, to 
deny it." 

The error here combatted, as far as it is the error of 
really good men, admits perhaps of the following explana- 
tioB. 



XIV.] AN UNPUBLISHED WORK. 2f3. 

We can never feel peace^ and comfort^ and the actings of 
difilialj confidential love to God and his law, so long as we 
apprehend the sentence of condemnation to stand out against 
us, and to be ready to be executed upon us : and hence it is 
supposed that we cannot love^ or be in heart reconciled to, 
either God or his law, till we know that we are delivered 
from condemnation. — Many, indeed, are the occasions in 
which love and the joyful actings of love, are thus con- 
founded together. But the Psalmist as much shewed his 
love for God when he abhorred himself, and repented in 
dust and ashes for his sins against him ; and implored, "Re- 
store unto me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with 
thy free Spirit ;'' as when at other times and under other 
circumstances, he " triumphed in the God of his salvation.^' 
Conformity of disposition may be said to be the essence of 
love to God: and this may and unquestionably often does 
exist, wliere the person is as yet far from being assured of 
his acceptance with God.- — This conformity of disposition 
is also produced by the renewing, regenerating grace of the 
Holy Spirit, and not by the previous knowledge of forgive- 
ness — according to an important statement made in an ear- 
lier part of this volume.* 

One error naturally gives birth to another. Love to God 
being confounded with rejoicing in him, and it being assu- 
med that there can be no love where there are not the 
joyous and confident actings of that principle, we are told 
that we ' can never love God till we first know that he 
loves us ;' that is, not merely till we believe, that " there is 
forgiveness with him,'' and that he is ready to be reconci- 
led to us, but till we know that he now regards us, indi- 
vidually, with that special " favor which he beareth to his 
chosen people." — But here the question naturally arises. 
How are we to attain this knowledge ? It is no where re- 
vealed in scripture, that we individually are thus restored 
to the favor of God. How is it possible to know it pre- 
viously to any such change being wrought in us, as may 
amount to a scriptural evidence' of the fact ? Or can any 
thing, amount to a scriptural evidence, which does not im- 
ply and involve the existence of love to God ? Are we 
to be thus not only pardoned, but assured of our pardon, 
while yet impenitent, and destitute of faitli in Christ ? Or 
can true repentance, (which necessarily includes hatred of 

f l^eUer and Note from the Pilgrim's Frogrcss, above, pp. 136—142 



274 EXTRACTS FROM [No. 

sin^ and consequent love of holiness,) and can true faith in 
Christ exist, without implying love to God ? — In short, is 
there any scriptural way of attaining the knowledge that 
God loves us, individually, with a special and saving love,, 
except by our being brought to love him ? or in other 
words, by that '' new heart and that right spirit being cre- 
ated within us," which are the source of repentance, faith, 
love, and every grace ? Can any thing but sanctijication^ 
incipient sanctification at least, be the solid and satisfacto- 
ry proof of our justification^ or restoration to the divine 
favor ? 

It is this error, of supposing that no love to God can 
exist in our hearts, till we first know that God loves us in 
particular, and with the special love above described, that 
forms the basis of what I must consider as another delu- 
sive and very mischievous notion, that of a direct witness 
of the Spirit, assuring us by ' an impression from on high, 
independent;,' at the time, ' of all truits,' because antece- 
dent to them, that our sins are forgiven ; which assurance 
is to precede and produce the love of God, and every 
thing spiritually good in the soul ! — Those who hold such 
a notion, of a new and distinct revelation communicating 
the fact to us (for it amounts to nothing short of this,) are 
furnished, indeed, with an answer to the questions above 
proposed, concerning any other method of attaining the 
knowledge of our acceptance, than that which arises from 
the comparison of ivhat is wrought in tis^ zcith what is writ- 
ten in the scriptures : but persons of more sober sentiments 
must, I conceive, be utterly at a loss for any answer com- 
patible with the sentiment against which the questions are 
directed. 

The text, '^ We love him because he first loved us," is of- 
ten quoted in support of some of the sentiments here oppo- 
sed : but even admitting that it speaks of the love of grati- 
tude — of one reason of our love to God, rather than of the 
original source of our love to him,* — it countenances those 
sentiments in sound only, and not in reality." 

REPENTANCE. 

On this subject an important passage has already been 
given in the course of these extracts ;t but that which fol- 

^ See Scott's Life, p. 228. f Above, p. 243. 



XIV.] AN ^UNPUBLISHED WORK. 2^5 

lows is SO far distinct from it, extending or illustrating the 
views which it presented, that I have thought it also worthy 
to be preserved in its place. 

" The very essence of true repentence is a heartfelt, 
humbling consciousness of having done wrong ; wilfully, 
totally, inexcusably wrong. If a man be ever so much 
terrified at the prospect of punishment, or ever so sorry 
for his conduct merely because it exposes him to suffering, 
there is nothing of repentance in it ; even though he shed 
abundance of tears, and appear inconsolable and exclaim 
ever so vehemently against his ov/n conduct, and make 
ever so many confessions, or ever so much restitution, or 
appear ever so much reformed, or cry ever so earnestly 
for mercy. These tilings may consist, and have consisted, 
with an unhumbled impenitent heart ; as in the instances 
of Pharaoh, Ahab, Judas, and others : and then they spring 
only from self-love. — Suppose a man breaks into my house, 
and is ransacking my bureaus for my property, and I op- 
pose him, am overpowered by him, and brought into dan- 
ger of immediate death : in this extremity I may be greatly 
terrified, sorry that I meddled to my own hurt, curse my 
rashness and imprudence, and may beg my life with many 
cries and tears ; may promise not to repeat the offence but 
to permit him to take what he will without further oppo- 
sition ; yea to tell him where my choicest treasures are, 
that he may take them : and all this only out of self-love, 
and to save my life. This may well consist with the bit- 
terest hatred of the ruffian^ with entire detestation of his 
injustice, and determination to revenge my quarrel when 
I can do it with safety ; and with complete approbation 
also of my own conduct in resisting him, in every point of 
view but this, that it was imprudent. — Thus may a man 
feel and act towards God, and yet hate his character, hate 
his law hate his conduct in the punishment of sinners, and 
regard it as tyranical and cruel ; approve of his own con- 
duct, or at best extenuate his fault, cast blame upon God, 
and applaud and boast of his own virtue. — But true repent- 
ance springs from such an apprehension of the justice ho- 
liness, and goodness of the divine character, as shews a 
man the contrariety of his own : and such a sense of the 
loveliness of God, in being what he is, as shews him his 
own unloveliness, yea loathsomeness in being contrary to 
him : and in proportion as he approves of, loves, admires, 
ahd delights in the divine character, he must needs be dis- 



276 EXTRACTS FROM [No. 

posed to disprove of and abhor his own, — It springs like- 
wise from tliat consequent apprehension of the strictness, 
equity, and reasonableness of the holy law of God, (the 
copy of the divine excellency,) which makes him sensible 
of the wrongness of his own conduct ; both of the number 
of his transgressions, and of the malignity and utter odi- 
ousness of every sin. In proportion as the law appears 
good, sm appears bad. In proportion as a man loves the 
law, he hates sin ; as he sees the beauty of .the law, he 
sees the deformity of sin: as he sees the reasonableness 
of the law, he sees the unreasonableness of sin : and, when 
he counts c7// God^s commandments in all things to he right ^ 
he counts his own conduct in all things, of every sort, in 
every part of his life, temper, and conduct, as far as it 
comes short of the perfection of the law, to be wrong. JBy 
the law is the knowledge of sin : therefore he w ho is igno- 
rant of the law is proportionably ignorant of sin ; and he 
who sees nothing of the goodness of the law sees nothing 
of the evil of sin : the consistent antinomian therefore 
sees nothing of the real evil of sin, and cannot possibly 
truly repent of it ; and hence he is driven to maintain that 
forgiveness precedes repentance — in direct contradiction to 
God's word. — But, as the strictness and excellency of tho^ 
law are most gloriously displayed in the death of the Son 
of God, therefore looking unto Christ is the most effectual 
method, of exciting abhorrence of sin, and loathing of our- 
selves for it. And, as the excellency of the law appears 
the more clearly, the more we consider the divine per- 
fections, and the obligations which God has conferred up- 
on us ; therefore, the very same view of things, which 
assures a believer of his acceptance through Christ, makes 
him in exact proportion abhor sin and liimself for his sins : 
and, the more sure he is that God loves him, and. that 
Christ died for him, the more poor in spirit, broken in 
heart, and full of self-abhorrence he is, especially when 
reviewing former sins, examining his present returns for 
redeeming love, or confessing any present sin that he has 
committed.'' 

SPIRITUAL JUDGMENT AND TASTE, ^ 

" Every true believer is made partaker of a spiritual, 
holy judgment and taste ; by which, without a long train of 
reasoning, he as it were directly relishes or disrelishes cer- 



XIV.] AN UNPUBLISHED WORK. 277 

tain dispositions and actions, and finds himself delighted or 
disgusted with them. This is the grand defect in unre- 
generate men, which is supplied in regeneration. As some 
persons, having the same mental faculties as their neigh- 
bors, are totally destitute of a relish or taste for the beau- 
ties of poetry, or harmony, or for this or the other sci- 
ence : they take no delight in them, have no relish for 
them, no taste or judgment about them ; but appear totally 
stupid and insensible to them in the eyes of all who have 
a relish and taste for them : so it is in all natural men 
with respect to spiritual things. Only, whereas it is no 
duti/ to relish poetry, music, sculpture, or painting, and 
therefore the want of taste for them is no sinful defect, it 
is the duty of every rational being to lt)ve and delight in 
holiness, to have a taste for it ; and no man can be desti- 
tute of such a taste without being of a very bad and sinful 

disposition Natural men ma}^, by reason and argument, 

be convinced in their judgment and conscience that holi- 
ness is in many things right and reasonable, and sin wrong 
and unreasonable ; but still they have not any love in their 
hearts to the one, or dislike to the other. They do not 
perform duty therefore because it is pleasant, sweet, and 
delightful to them, or avoid sin because it is odious, irk- 
some, and offensive to them ; but from other motives, and 
for other ends. But the regenerate man has this defect 
supplied ; and the principle of divine life, implanted in the 
?oul by the Holy Ghost, operates mainly in this way — if 
this be not the very nature of it. Hence godly men in 
scripture all speak of it as their experience, to have such 
a taste and relish for spiritual excellency. They are in 
raptures with beauties of holiness, and of a holy God. 
They speak o{ t^stm^ siveetness in God's statutes, moi^c than 
in honey^ and the honey-comb. The name of Christ is re- 
freshing to the spiritual sense, as ointment poured forth : 
his love is better than 7vine : praising God affords hig^her 
satisfaction to the soul than marroio and fatness to the 
bodily appetite. Innumerable passages in scripture repre- 
sent this as the experience of believers. Hence it is that 
they, and they only, find Christ's yoke casy^ and his burden 
light ; God's commandments not grievous ; wisdom's ways 
ways of pleasantness ; to do Godh imll and to fiiiish his 
work J (after tlieir Saviour's example,) their incat and drink. 
This is not so much from the present privileges they en- 
joy, or the reward they hope for, as from the acreeable- 

24 



"27^ EXTRACTS FROM [No. 

ness of spiritual things to the taste and relish of their souls. 
They hunger and thirst after righteousness^ and are athirst 
for God^ even for the living God, This is the element in 
which they live ; and, when they are out of God's ways, 
they arc out of their element, as a fish out of the water, 
and cannot enjoy pleasure, hut are, as it were, in a dying 
condition. In this sense it is said that ?ie who is born of 
-God cannot sin : for, in exact proportion as he has a taste 
for holiness, relishes it, experiences sweetness, and sees 
beauty in it, he has a distaste, disrelish, and loathing for 
sin ; sees deformity in it, and is disgusted with it." 

CHARACTER OF CHRIST. 

'• The peculiar object of this spiritual taste is, the beauty 
and excellency of holy things — God's perfections and law, 
Christ's character, and his image in his people. Especially 
the true believer sees a loveliness in every part of Christ's 
character and conduct. He entirely admires his sweet 
humility, condescension, meekness, self-denial, zeal, wis- 
dom, gentleness, compassion, and active love : his regard 
to his Father's honour, rejoicing in his sovereignty, respect 
for his ordinances, resignation, patience, devotion. All he 
said, and all he did, appear the perfection of beauty ; every 
temper and every disposition, the matter and the manner 
of every action, quite what they should be : and he learns 
to account every thing beautiful or deformed, lovely or 
odious, in his own and other men's tempers and conduct, as 
it accords with or is contrary to this perfect copy.- — Every 
true believer is, in some little measure, of this mind and 
judgment : and none but the true believer is so : and in him 
it grows exactly as he groics in grace, 

'' This being so, he habituates himself, in some little de- 
gree, to judge of every thing by this rule : and thus his 
taste is formed^ and he insensibly relishes and finds pleas- 
ure in those things and persons who have this beauty in 
them, and in proportion as thiey have more or less of it. 
On the contrary he disrelishes, and is pained and uneasy 
with those persons and things which are unlike Christy and 
that in proportion to their unlikeness to him. AixJ thus 
also he finds sweetness and pleasure in keeping God's com- 
mandments, in imitating Christ's example, in attending 
God's ordinances, in reading, praying, hearing, meditation, 
watdiing, aad doing good. He loves the brethren^ and takes 



XI v.] AN UNPUBLISHErD AVORKi 279 

delight in their society : and, on the contraryj finds pain 
and uneasiness in ungodly company, in neglect of duty, in 
levit}^, and in wrong tempers. And this becomes natural 
to him, so far as grace prevails, and is for that reason habit- 
ual and abiding : but no obedience that is not pleasant, 
natural, unforced, will last : and therefore no other religion 
than this can be relied upon to continue to the end, in all 

circumstances and against all temptations 

" It is by implanting and maintaining this holy taste, and 
rendering' it quick and vigorous, that the Holy Spirit leads 
the chiklren of God, and makes them wise to know, and 
willing to do their duty : and enables them to act decidedly, 
in a thousand instances of daily occurrence, as they ought 
to act, without requiring time to deliberate at every step 
about their conduct, or to produce express precept for it; 
Their judgment is formed upon the word, and is made by 
it ; but the holy relish they have for spiritual excellency, 
and disrelish for the contrary, makes those tvho by reason 
of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil^^ 
at first thought to perceive a beauty or deformity in this 
or the other temper or conduct, respecting which others 
may hesitate, as the ear trieth sounds^ and the mouth tasteih 
meatsP 

ZEAL FOR THE GLORY OF GOD. 

" Every true believer, in proportion to the degree of his 
spiritual knowledge, and faith, has the glory of God at 
heart. The discoveries he has made, under the teaching 
of God's word and Spirit, of the infinite loveliness and glory 
of the divine character, as they influence his own mind to 
admire adore, love, delight in God, and to find unspeaka- 
ble sweetness in this ; so they convince him how right and 
reasonable it is in itself, and how much it is for their hap- 
piness that others should do the same. He is deeply sen- 
sible that God's excellencies are worthy to be manifested ; 
that the manifestation of them, and their glory, was an ^\\^ 
worthy to be proposed by God in all his works, as the last 
end, to which all others should be subordinated. The dis- 
])l?iy of these glorious excellencies, in the works of crea- 
tion, providence, government, and redemption, is so bright, 
that he both grieves and wonders that so many rational 
creatures are blind to it. The wliolo ajy^iears worthy of 

' lltl) V. II. 



280 EXTRACTS FROM [JW. 

universal attention, admiration, love, and adoring praise. 
He sees that this is no more than God's due ; and that all 
who do not pay it rob him of his due. He would therefore 
most gladly, if he could, have all rational creatures to know 
and love, to worship, and obey, and delight in God, and 
i^ive him the glory due unto his name. He is entirely wil- 
ling that God should reign : yea he rejoices in his sove- 
reignty ; is satisfied that the throne belongs to him, and de- 
Tights to think that it is eternally secured to him ; that he is 
unchangeably glorious and blessed ; that he is infinitely re- 
moved from the reach of all his enemies, that they are 
all in his hand, and absolutely in his power, and shall be 
put under his feet ; that his counsel shall standy and he will 
do all his pleasure ; that all shall be as he would have it, and 
shall issue in his glory. But he cannot but be grieved that 
at present such multitudes are ignorant of him ; in rebellion 
and enmity against him ; disobeying him; blaspheming him ; 
worshipping idols, or idolizing themselves, and the crea- 
tures of his hand ; framing false notions of him ; serving 
Satan '^ living in infidelity, atheism, profaneness, supersti- 
tion, formality, false religion, wild enthusiasm ; hardened 
in opposition to, or abuse of his truth ; Satan practising and 
prospering ; his instruments successful and honored ; God's 
servants, friends, and trutlis despised, hated, and persecu- 
ted. It grieves him at the heart to see things in this state : 
even as a dutiful and affectionate child is grieved to hear 
his good father insulted, reproached, calumniated, derided ; 
or to see him robbed, wounded, and abused ; and the more 
so because he cannot help it. It is as a sword in his bones 
while they daily say unto hiiUy Where is thy God ? 

'' There is much of the spirit of adoption in this. Just so 
far as we can heartily pray. Hallowed he thy name ; thy 
kingdom come ; thy ivill he done on earth as it is in heaven; 
we have a right to conclude that God is our father. It is 
the earnest desire and hearty prayer of every child of God, 
that God's cause and honor on earth may prosper ; that his 
name may be known, loved, and adored ; that his king- 
dom may set up, and fill the whole earth ; that all men 
in the world may be cured of their ignorance, irreligion, 
and wickedness ; may return to God through Christ, truly 
repenting and believing, and may glorify God in body and 
spirit, with their substance and their all, and do his will as 
angels do. All such characters long to see God glorify all 
his perfections by bringing this to pass ; as we are taught 



XTVJj AN UNPUBLISHED WORK. 281 

to hope and expect that he will do. They rejoice there- 
fore when ministers are sent forth furnished for their work; 
when religion revives ; when sinners are converted ; when 
believers stand fast in the Lord ; and the cause of God 
prosper^; -These are objects near their heart. 

" Every true believer, however weak, has somewhat of 
this spirit; and that in proportion to his faith and grace. 
He that has none of it has no love to God, but is still his 
enemy,, however self-love may produce high affections of 
another sort. But every such person knows that nothing 
more prevents this blessed effect, than the unholy lives of 
false professors, or the misconduct of true Christians. This 
Satan improves to prejudice men's minds against the gos- 
pel ; to furnish sinners with plausible pretences for despis- 
ing and opposing it ; to help convinced persons to quiet 
their consciences ; and for many other bad purposes. On 
the other hand, th<e sincere believer is sensible that the 
consistent, upright, blameless, useful lives of Christians are 
a great ornament and recommendation of true religion ; 
tend to soften men's prejudices, and win upon their hearts; 
and are made use of by the Holy Spirit in bringing sin- 
ners home to God, through Jesus Christ. He desires there- 
fore to let his light so shine before men^ that tJiey^ seeing his 
good laorks may glorify his leather which is in heaven : to 
bring forth much fruity that God may be glorified ; by icell-- 
doing tojjut to silence the ignorance of foolish men. He is 
anxious to avoid evil and the appearance of evil ; and so to 
do every thing as may best tend to promote the credit of 
religion and the honour of God. Whether he eats or drinks^ 
or whatsoever he does^ he would do all to the glory of God, 
This is his habitual aim. Whenever he acts contrary to it, 
he is grieved, ashamed, humbled, and watches more for the 
time to come; being especially troubled if God's name is 
dishonoured through him." 

GOD OUR PORTION. 

" Every true believer chooses God as his portion, and 
expects his happiness froin God himself, and not from his 
gifts, solely or chiefly. — The law of God, commanding us 
to love him with all our hearty requires us to love him su- 
premely, to live to him and his glory, as our great end, 
and to choose him as our portion, and expect our happiness 
from him alone. Thou shall have none other gods but me. 



282 fiXTRACtS FROM [N'Or- 

Whatever possesses the throne in our heart ; whatever we 
love more than, or equally with, God ; whatever we seek 
in preference to God's glory ; whatever we expect our 
happiness from, or choose for our portion ; that is our god, 
our idol ; and we give the glory to it, which is due to God 
alone. — Now men, in their natural state, have no more no- 
tion of seeking and finding happiness in God, as their por- 
tion, than the}^ have of loving him supremely, and seeking 
his glory ultimately. They apprehend that the gifts of 
God can do somewhat tow^ards making them happy ; and 
therefore, they desire, choose, and deify them. The 
worldling makes a god of his riches, pleasures, and honours. 
In these he trusts, on these depends, and from them ex-- 
pects his satisfaction. Nor are other descriptions of char- 
acter a whit better, though their idolatry takes another 
turn. The moralist, the self-righteous, the self-wise, the 
enthusiast, each deifies something that is not God. One ex- 
pects his happiness from his moral virtue ; in which he 
prides himself; for which he admires, values, loves himself; 
in which he trusts, and on which he dotes. Another does 
the same by his forms of godliness ; another by his knowl- 
edge and clear light ; another by his experiences, discove- 
ries, consolations, and attainments. Each takes the gift, 
and puts it in the place of the giver ; and reposes that de- 
pendence upon it, cherishes that expectation from it, and 
delights himself in contemplating it in that manner, in 
which he ought to love, depend on, expect from, and de- 
light in contemplating the glorious God ; or rather, dress- 
ing up himself in this imagined finery, he admires, trusts 
in, loves, and rejoices in himself, and is his own idol. Even 
in his views of heaven, his soul rests in the expectation of 
happiness in something which is to be conferred upon him 
as his own, rather than in God. And thus all agree in 
forsaking the fountain of living icatersj and heicing out 
to themselves cisterns^ broken cisterns^ which can hold no 
water, 

" But the word of God, though it figuratively describes 
the happiness of the righteous under images taken from 
natural good things, yet affords light enough to the hum- 
ble Christian for the interpretation of the figure, and 
plainly errough declares that true happiness is not to be 
found in God's gifts, but in God himself, the fountain from 
which all these streams flow, and to w^hich they lead the 
renewed mind. Thejiure, in heart shall see God. With^ 



XIV.] AN UNPUBLISHED WORK!. 2SS 

out holiness no man shall see the lord. We shall see him 
us he isy and be made like him. We shall behold his glory. 
True believers are all represented as choosing God for 
their portion ; thirsting after God : longing to appear in 
the presence of God ; desiring the light of his countenance ; 
rejoicing in God ; exclaiming^ Whom have I in heaven but 
thee f and there is none upon earth that I desire in compari- 
son of thee. And indeed nothing can be plainer, than that 
the all-sufficient and eternal God, of unchangeable excellen- 
cy, is the only happiness which is large enough to satisfy 
the vast capacities of an immortal spirit. He is the foun- 
tain ever full, ever overflowing, inexhaustible, and if I may 
so speak, undiminishable, from which million of worlds, 
continually drinking full draughts of bliss, never in the least 
lessen it : but all creatures are utterly incapable of afford- 
ing happiness. Let a rational being have the whole 
world, not earth only but heaven, and every thing in it, 
and eternal duration secured, in which to enjoy it ; and no 
positive evil to disturb that enjoyment; he would still be a 
dissatisfied and discontented creature, if not admitted to 
behold the glory and taste the love, and enjoy the pres- 
ence of the great and glorious God. This, and this alone, 
can fill, and satisfy, and enlarge, and exalt, and make happy 
the rational soul for ever, I doubt not that every true be- 
liever, every spiritucd man sees, yea feels this : and, how- 
ever rational it is in itself, I am persuaded none beside can 
perceive it. He is happy and joyful in proportion as he 
can have fixed views of the divine glory, a realizing sense 
of the divine presence, and that kind of assurance of the 
love of God, which arises from a heartfelt conscious love 
to him. While he can thus feel the love of God shed abroad 
in his heart by the Holy Ghost ^ he is happy, and can rejoice, 
even though in tribulation : without it, his soul is dark, 
dreary, uncomfortable ; nor can any worldly advantages, 
any recollection of past experiences, any hope of future 
happiness, though it may keep him from distress, make 
him comfortable, till this experience is renewed. — The 
view he has of the infinite excellency of God determines 
his choice of him as his portion. Self-love now takes its 
proper direction, and cannot be vehement and eager : The 
enjoyment of God is that recompense of reicard to which 
the believer has respect in another world : where, without 
one intervening cloud, or any remaining coldness or cor- 
ruption, he trusts to see the glorious God, and be for ever 



284 EXTRACTS FROM - [No. 

ravished with love: and the eHJoyment of God, in the 
earnests and first-fruits thereof, he longs for as this only 
solace in the barren land where no loater is. To see the 
beauty of the Lardy to rejoice in the peculiar manifestations 
of his glory, is the one thing -which he desires. Now he 
knows, both from the word of God and his own experience, 
that his present enjoyment of this sweet pleasure, and the 
confirmed hope of it hereafter, increase or decrease in 
exact proportion to his diligence in watching against sin 
and following after holiness. He finds sloth and sensuality, 
worldliness, pride, and wrong tempers, grieve the Holy 
Spirit, unfit his soul for divine exercises, prevent divine 
communications, make corrections, temptations, and un- 
comfortable experiences necessary ; and consequently hin- 
der his enjoyment of his beloved. On the contrary he 
finds diligence and attention to duty prepare his mind for 
these gracious visits, and render them more frequent and 
blessed. Every true believer has a little of this experi- 
ence and judgment, in proportion to his faith and grace : 
and thereby he will be proportionably induced to follow 
after holiness/*^ 

LOVE TO MAN. 

'' Every true believer has a sincere disinterested love for 
all men. Nothing can be plainer than that, according to 
the Bible, the spirit of Christianity is especially a spirit of 
love to man ; and that, without this, all other attainments, 
however specious, or even splendid or eminent, are of no 
worth to the owner. 1 Cor. xiii. — The whole law is writ- 
ten in the heart of every true Christian ; and the tw o tables 
are inseparable. He that loveth God ivill love his brother 
also ; and he is a felse pretender to the former, who does 
not the latter : for that removal of pride and selfishness, 
which makes way for our sincerely loving a God of infinite 
holiness, who, as such, is directly contrary to our own nat- 
ural character, will necessarily dispose us to love all 
men, in submission to his authority, and imitation of his 
example 

" Now this love, though not confined to, consists much 
in, universal benevolence and good will to all men, near 
or far ofi*; strangers and enemies, as well as relatives and 

friends ; and the vilest as well as the best of men He 

who does not forgive his vilest enemies and injurers, and 



XrV^.] AN UNPUBLISHED WORK. 285 

SO love the most entire strangers, or the most detestable 
characters, as sincerely and cordially to desire their wel- 
fare and happiness in time and eternity, and disinterestedly 
to seek to promote it, is not a Christian. — Under the im- 
mediate disturbance of mind which a recent provocation 
excites, a true Christian may, and will feel more or less 
resentment and ill will : he may afterwards, through re- 
maining depravity, shew some measure of coldness and 
dislike to persons who have behaved ill, and express it by 
withholding favours formerly conferred, or conferred upon 
ethers. This, though it generally proves a person to be 
an unthriving Christian, does not always prove that he is no 
Christian. But he who habitually harbors so much re- 
sentment of injuries received, however great, as to be 
utterly destitute of benevolent love to the author of them ; 
to have no disposition and desire to seek his good, spirit- 
ual and temporal ; who can see him pinched with hunger, 
and feel no willingness to feed him ; or thirsty, and have 
no disposition to give him drink ; or going on in the way 
to perdition, and feel no desire in his heart for his salva- 
tion, or no willingness to use the means for that end ; can- 
not be a Christian : for he has not one spark of the spirit 
of Christ in him, whatever his knowledge, discoveries, gifts, 
or experiences may be. If he do not forgive his enemy, 
God will not forgive him. If he cannot sincerely pray for 
his enemies, God will not hear his prayers for himself. If 
he have no willingness to shew mercy he shall h^\e judg" 
merit loitliout mercy, 

" And, if enemies are all of them the objects of the be- 
nevolent good will of ever}^ true Christian, in a measure 
exactly proportioned to his faith and grace, evidently all 
other men must be so. There is not a man on earth for 
whom the true Christian, in his retired moments, when he 
is most himself, communing with God, or meditating on 
redeeming love, has not a sincere benevolence ; and whom 
he does not really desire to be happy in time and eternity ; 
and whose happiness he has not a sincere disposition to 
promote with a degree of disinterested, self-denying activ- 
ity proportioned to his degree of grace. He that has no 
measure of this disposition is no Christian : he that has but 
little of it is but a poor sort of Christian : he that has much 
of it is a thriving Christian. — And, as the measure of this 
disposition in the heart is the standard of our growth in 
grace ; so the measure of our willingness to part witli our 



286 EXTRACTS FROM fN<>.. 

interestSj advantageSj gratification, ease, and credit, and to 
put ourselves to inconveniences, hardships, losses, in ex- 
pressing this love, is the standard of the degree of that love. 
He that has no willingness to part with his money, to deny 
himself needless gratifications, or to put himself to incon- 
venience, to shew his good will to men, has no love : he 
loves in icord and in tongue, not in deed and in truth, lie 
that has but little willingness, in proportion to his ability, 
has but little love : and he that has much willingness, and 
does much in proportion to his ability, has much love. 

'' These things being evidently so, it must be remember- 
ed that, though our goodness does not profit God, it does 
profit man. My goodness extend^th not unto thee, hut to 
the saints that are in the earth, An''ungodly man will do 
good works no further than he is himself in some way or 
other to have the advantage : either in being praised by 
men, or in receiving returns from men, or in some tempo- 
ral conveniency, as credit, health, respect, preferment ; 
or in being justified before God ; or in having something 
whereof to boast, and for which to prefer and admire him- 
self, and feed his self-complacency, or keep up his hopes 
of heaven : because he has no higher principle than self- 
iove. But a godly man, though in a subordinate degree 
he may feel his mind influenced by some of these motives, 
yet, having higher principles, even disinterested love to 
God and man, (which is the very essential difference that 
true grace makes,) he will do good works not only when 
some one or other of these inferior motives induces, but 
when none of them do, or even when they all (if that were 
possible,) are on the other side. So that it is impossible 
that he can be without a motive to do good works, so long 
as it is impossible that his good works should not glorify 
God and benefit man.'^ 

THE WHOLE GOSPEL DESIGNED TO PROMOTE 
HOLINESS. 

" There is not one doctrine which is not stated in the 
word of God in connexion with holiness of heart and life. 
We are elect through sanctification unto obedience. Those 
whom God farehneic he predestinated to he conformed to the 
image of his Son, He hath chosen us in Christ, hefore the 
foundation of the icorld, that we shouldhe holy, — Our Sav- 
imir Jesvs Christ gave himself for us. that he might redeem 



XIVj AN UNPUBLISHED WORK. 28/ 

US from all inquiti/j and purify unto himself a peculiar pea- 
ple^zealous of good ivories, — The grace of God which bring- 
eth salvation hath appeared unto all men, teaching us thatj 
denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live sober- 
ly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. — We are 
ccdled out of darkness into his marvellous light, that ice 
should sheic forth the praises of Him who hath called us : 
which doubtless must be ^ not with our lips only but in our 
lives^ by giving up ourselves to his service, and by walking 
before him in holiness and righteousness all our days' — as 
the vigor and ability of one who has been sick, and suppo- 
sed incurable, is the best commendation of the physician ; 
without which the most lavish praises of the yet languishing 
patient will be of little avail.— If we are through the law 
dead to the law, it is that we might live unto God, Are we 
justified by faith, so that there is now no condemnation for 
us ? We, at the same time, walk not after the flesh but after 
the Spirit ; by the Spirit we mortify the deeds of the body, 
crucify the flesh with its afl^ections and lusts ; become in 
Christ new creatures ; so that old things are passed away^ 
hehold, all things become new, — Are we assured that we are 
in a safe state, and in the way to salvation ? Wherefore, 
my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, immoveable, ahvays 
abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know 
that your labour is not in vain in the Lord, — Do the saints 
persevere ? Yea, by patient continuance in icell doings 
they seek for glory ^ and honor, and immortality, 

'^ Let us diligently attend to and carefully copy the 
phrasjeology of the holy scriptures. Everything is in them 
connected w\\\\, and made conducive to holy affections, dis- 
positions, and actions. Every thing issues in love to God 
and man, and in the fruits and effects of such a temper in our 
words and works. 

'^ The gospel may be denominated a scheme, formed in 
God's infinite wisdom and love, to restore a fallen crea- 
ture to holiness, in consistency with the rides of the divine 
s^overnmentj the honor of the divine law, the glory of 
God's holiness apd justice, and to the praise of his grace. 
This is the end, and glory^ and loveliness of the gospel. 
Rob it of this and you degrade it into the mire. Christ 
becomes the minister of sin : and, Let us sin on, that grace 
may abound, is then the genuine language of the believer. 
There may be jiiuch loveliness in such a gospel to a 



288 EXTRACTS FR031 [No. 

carnal mind ; for it is a carnal gospel, and similis simili 
gaudetJ^* 

PROMISES AND PRIVILEGES ATTACHED TO 
CHARACTERS. 

" Promises are made and privileges belong to characters, 
not persons. Seldom or never, in the word of God, is any 
consolation proposed to God's people or children, other- 
wise than by some distinguishing mark of their character, 
by which they differ from all hypocrites. — All things work 
together for good — to w horn ? to God's people ? yes : but 
they are such as love God. — There is no condemnation — to 
whom ? to believers ? yes : but they are such as walk not 
after the flesh hut after the Spirit, — LiJce as a father piti- 
eth his own childre?iy even so the Lord pitieth — whom ? his 
children ? yes: but this is their character, those that fear 
him. Are they who walk in darkness^ and have no light, en- 
couraged to trust in the name of the Lord, and to stay upon 
their God ? yes : but they must be such as fear the Lord, 
and obey the voice of his servants. This is universally the 
method of scripture : and well had it been for the souls of 
men, if it had been always imitated, and consolation never 
proposed in general terms to the children of God, simply as 
such, and without any further description ; but to persons 
who are of such a character ; have such inward experien- 
ces, longing desires, breathings after God and holiness ; and 
from this inward source produce habitually the fruits of 
edifying conversation and holy conduct. The contrary 
course has an evident tendency to bolster up the confi- 
dence of the presumptuous hypocrite, who, like a greedy 
dog, devours the children's food, without fear or shame, 
and, when rebuked for it, is ready, to turn again and rend 
the faithful servant of God ; while the humble, fearful 
believ^er, not daring to think himself a child, for want of 
having the evidences of it pointed out to him,t stands 
trembling at a distance, and dares not venture to taste a 
morsel of what all belongs exclusively to him. — Most assur- 
edly this undistinguishing way of preaching^ is casting that 
which is holy unto the dogs ; and, 1 am deeply convinced, is 
one of the worst mistakes a preacher can fall into ; tending 
most directly to stupify the consciences and harden the 



* ' Like loves like.* i Sec Life, p. 430. t Ibid. p. 147, 443, 



.M 



XIV.] AN UNPUBLISHED WORK. 28^ 

hearts of the ungodly^ and to strengthen their hands that 
they should not Return from their evil ivay ; and, in propor- 
tionj discouraging the heart of the humble, broken, contrite 
believer. Would we be as God^s mouth, let us learn to 
distinguish between the precious and the vilej^^ 

" THE OFFENCE OF THE CROSS CEASING.'^ 

'^ Leave out the holy character of God. the holy excel- 
ience of his law, the holy condemnation to which transgres- 
sors are doomed, the holy loveliness of the Saviour's char- 
acter, the holy nature of redemption, the holy tendency of 
Christ's doctrine, and the holy tempers and conduct of all 
true believers : then dress up a scheme of religion of this 
unholy sort: represent mankind as in a pitiable condition, 
rather through misfortune than by crime : speak much of 
Christ's bleeding love to them, of his agonies in the garden 
and on the cross ; without shewing the need or the nature 
of the satisfaction for sin: speak of his present glory, and 
of his compassion for poor sinners ; of the freeness with 
vv^hich he dispenses pardons ; of the privileges which be- 
lievers enjoy here, and of the happiness and glory reserved 
for them hereafter : clog this with nothing about regenera- 
tion and sanctification, or represent holiness as some- 
what else than conformity to the holy character and law of 
God : and you make up a plausible gospel, calculated to 
humor the pride, soothe the consciences, engage the hearts, 
and raise the affections of natural men, who love nobody but 
themselves. And now no wonder if this gospel (which has 
nothing in it affronting, offensive, or unpalatable, but is per- 
fectly suited to the carnal, unhumbled sinner, and helps him 
to quiet his conscience, dismiss his fears, and encourage his 
hopes,) incur no opposition among ignorant persons, who in- 
quire not into the reason of things ; meet with a hearty wel- 
come, and make numbers of supposed converts, who live and 
die as full as they can hold of joy and confidence, without any 
fears or conflicts. Its success perhaps may cause it to be 
cried up as ' the only way of preaching for usefulness :' 
while all discourse concerning the being, authority, and 
perfections of God ; concerning the law ; concerning the 
evil of sin ; and concerning relative duties ; is considered 
as only ' hindering usefulness :' and they only are thought 
to preach the gospel in simplicity, as they ought to do, 
* Jer. XV. 11). 
25 



290 EXTRACTS FROM [No. 

who preach in this manner. What wonder if, when all the 
ofFensive part is left out; the gospel gives no offence ? What 
wonder if, when it is made suitable to carnal minds, carnal 
minds fall in love with it ? What wonder if, when it is evi- 
dently calculated to fill the unrenewed mind with false con- 
fidence and joy, it has this effect? What wonder if, when 
the true character of God is unknown, and a false charac- 
ter of him is framed in the fancy, — a God all love and no 
justice, very fond of such believers, as his favourites, — they 
have very warm affections towards him ? What wonder if, 
when these persons are of one mind, and admire and extol 
each other as the only favourites of heaven, they seem to 
be full of love to one another ? It is not Christ's holy 
image in them that they love, but their own image : and 
again I observe, Similis simili gauclet. 

" The doctrines of the gospel would give no offence ex- 
cept to a few deep thinkers, were it not that, when prop- 
erly stated, they imply the affronting truth, that every 
person, by sinning against a holy God, and breaking a 
righteous law, is justly deserving of eternal damnation, be 
his character in society ever so moral and respectable ; 
and that we are all polluted and abominable, contrary to 
God, and loathsome through sin. Suppress this represent- 
ation, and there is nothing affronting in any remaining 
doctrine, or offensive to any person, save to the reasoner, 
who, seeing so much done without any adequate cause, 
may scornfully exclaim, Cui bono ?^ — The bulk of mankind 
however belong not to the reasoning class, and will ever 
be ready to adopt any sentiments their teacher may incul- 
cate, which do not alarm their fears, aflront their pride, or 
call them to mortify their lusts : much more such as quiet 
their fears, soothe their pride, leave their corruptions un- 
touched, and find them an excuse for not subduing them. 
And, though an outward reformation may generally be ne- 
cessary ; yet for the sake of a quiet conscience, sanguine 
hopes, and self-complacency, we all know how far men will 
proceed in this way. 

" I would not give needless offence. Let this matter be 
weighed according to its importance. Let the word of 
God be examined impartially. I cannot but avow my fears 
that Satan has propagated much of this false religion, 
among many widely different classes of religious profes- 
sors ; and it shines so brightly in the eyes of numbers, who 
^ What parpose is all this to answer? 



.ij 



XIV.] AN UNPUBLISHED WORK. 291 

' take all for gold that glitters/ that, unless the fallacy be 
detected, it bids fair to be the prevailing religion in many 
places — So far however as I can judge, no persons in the 
world express more acrimony against that sort of religion 
which strips the sinner of every plea, leaves him self-con- 
demned and self-loathing, as a transgressor of a righteous 
law, and a rebel against a holy God, at the footstool of 
sovereign grace ; which shews the sinner the absolute need 
there was of the deatli of Christ, the real nature of his sat- 
isfaction, the necessity of a total change of heart and life ; 
and demonstrates that all true converts love the holy cha- 
racter and law of God, and are sincerely holy in all man- 
ner of conversation : no persons, I say are more virulent 
haters, and more resolute opposers, of these views of reli- 
gion, than those who are so full of the other affections, and 
of that sort of religion above described : which too plainly 
shews how things are with them.'' 

PART IT. 

The second, or practical, part of the work is grounded 
upon a passage of Scripture w4iich, it is admitted, imme- 
diately referred to the apostles, but which, it is contended, 
may in its measure be applied, by accommodation at least, 
to all true Christians. Our first extracts therefore will be 

OBSERVATIONS ON JOHN XV, l6. 

" Ye have not chosen me, hut I have chosen yoUj and or- 
dained you that ye should go and hring forth fruity and 
that your fruit should remain J^ 

" We are not to suppose that our Lord intended in these 
words to intimate that the apostles, or any other true 
Christians, do not choose him. Verily all true Christians 
choose him, as their teacher, their Saviour, their Lord, 
their portion^ their all. In comparison with him they des- 
pise wealth, pleasure, honour, ease, health, liberty, friends, 
relatives, even life itself. Renouncing the world and its 
friendship, and all prospects of satisfaction from it, they 
choose Christ as their friend, and portion, and exceeding 
joy. Renouncing their own wisdom and righteousness, 
and all for which they once admired and valued them- 
selves, and in wliich they trusted and gloried, they choose 
him as their wisdom, rigkteoiisncss^ sanctification, and re- 



292 EXTRACTS FROM ["No. 

iJcmption ; transfer their admiration and love to him ; glory 
and trust in him alone. ^Vhat things were gain to them they 
have counted loss for Christ ; yea^ doubtless, and they count 
all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of 
Christ Jesus their Lord, In every respect they stand pre- 
pared to deny themselves, and take up their cross, and follow 
Christ. Without this they know they cannot be his disciples. 
And though, conscious of their weakness, and of the treach- 
ery of their hearts, and of the force of temptation, the}' often 
tremble in the prospect of future possible trials, lest they 
should flinch in the hour of suffering ; yfet hitherto, notwith- 
standing they may have had sharp conflicts, still, when Christ 
and the world have come in competition, they have been 
enabled to renounce the world, choose Christ, and em- 
brace the cross. In this way the sincerity of each sincere 
Christian has been more or less tried ; and they have all 
parted with every allowed sin, however gainful, pleasant, or 
customary. Some have oflended friends and relatives ; some 
renouiiced prospects of preferment or eminence ; some em- 
braced poverty, obscurity, and contempt ; and some ven- 
tured ail, though perhaps they have actually lost little : 
but all, in judgment and determined choice, h.3.\mg found 
the pearl of great price, are willing to sell all, and part with 
all, lo purchase it ; and trust in the faithful promise, pow- 
erful arm. and gracious heart of their beloved Saviour, to 
enable them to adhere to their determination in every fu- 
ture trial. Thus the apostles left cdl and followed Christ : 
and thus all true Christians choose him : and in this sense, 
except a man despise, hate, and forsake all, he may de- 
ceive himself, but he cannot be Christ^s disciple, 

'* But our Lord had here been speaking of a friendship 
actually formed betw^een him and his disciples ; and in 
this sentence he has respect to the original cause of that 
friendship. Was it inquired, how it came to pass that a 
friendship should subsist between one so great, so holy, so 
glorious, and these persons, who were so mean, so pollut- 
ed, so sinful ; who once were enemies, though now they 
are made friends ? Was it asked, with whom the change 
originated ? Did they lirst, of their own accord, and wiih- 
out any previous steps taken by him, through their own 
superior wisdom and goodness, make advances towards 
this friendship with Him whom the world hated and des- 
pised? or did he first ^x his love upon them, when enemies 
to him, or ignorant of him ; make himself known to them ; 



1 



XIV.] AN UNPUBLISHED WORK. 293 

declare his willingness to be reconciled, and to receive 
them as friends ; and, accompanying his call, Follow me^ 
with the same power which attended the words, Lazarus 
come forthj influence them to obey the call, to leave all, 
and follow him ? Was such an inquiry as this made ? then 
in these words Christ gives the answer to it : Ye have not 
chosen me^ but I have chosen you. We have now indeed mu- 
tually chosen one another, as dear friends : ye are my be- 
loved, and I am your's : but your choice of me is the con- 
sequence and effect of my prior choice of you. You now 
love me, not only because I am and have been kind to you, 
but because you are acquainted with my character, and 
know me to be altogether lovely : but had I not first loved 
you, you w^ould never have known or seen my loveliness. 
Ye love me, then, but it is because I first loved you, 

" And, as it was thus with the apostles in respect to their 
union and friendship with Christ — they did not first choose 
him, but he them — so it is with all other true Christians : 
and I much doubt whether any of tliem can be unconscious 
of It in his own experience, whatever doctrinal sentiments 
he may have espoused. Had not Christ, without any pre- 
vious advances on their side, come to seek and save lost 
sinners ; had he not, having made way for it by his death, 
prevented (anticipated) their desires with his preached 
gospel ; had he not brought the word of salvation to them, 
even when they were ignorant of it, or prejudiced against 
it ; had he not thus in the external revelation made him- 
self known unto them in the glory and beauty of his char- 
acter, and the suitableness and preciousness of his salvation, 
and their perishing need of it ; and had he not touched their 
before unwilling hearts with his eificacious grace: never 
would they have seen ?iny form or comeliness in him that 
they should desire him : they would never have chosen hiniy 
or loved him, or received him, if he had not first chosen 
them, — Let him then have all the praise : and let us humbly 
confess our base enmity and contempt of him ; thankfully 
acknowledge his triumphant grace ; and comfortably hope 
(if we do now choose him,) that, having loved usy he will 
love us to the end, 

'' There are different ways in which the Lord chooses 
persons in his sovereign wisdom. Some are chosen to fill 
up offices in his church, who were never chosen to salva- 
tion^ through sanctification of tlic Spirit, and belief of the 
truth. Thus Saul was chosen to be king, and Judas to be 



294 EXTRACTS FROM [iVu, 

an apostle. And many shall say in that day, Lord have 
ice not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name cast out 
devils, and in thy name done many wonderful works ? to 
whom the judge of all shall answer, / never Icnew you : 
depart from me, all ye that work iniquity. These are 
awful words ! INlay God help us to weigh and consider them 
well J lest, after preachiiig to others, we ourselves he cast 
away. Let none of us trust in gifts, popularity, or even 
usefulness : but let us examine ourselves w^hether we be in- 
deed, in Christ, new creatures. 

" Some again are elect according to the fore-knowledge 
of God the Father through sanctification of the Spirit unto 
x)bedience, and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ, and 
thus to eternal life, who are not appointed to any distin- 
guished office in the church : and some scarcely live to 
make profession of their faith, or give evidence of the 
grace bestowed upon them, ere they are taken to glory. 

" But the persons spoken of in the text w^ere chosen 
both to eternal life, and to fill up the most honorable sta- 
tions in the church. And all who are chosen unto salvation 
are chosen, 1. Unto eternal life : 2. Unto union, fellowship, 
and friendship with Christ, whereby they obtain their 
title to the heavenly inheritance, through his righteousness 
imputed to them ; and are made meet for that inheritance 
by his Spirit dwelling in them, and producing there true 
holiness, or conformity to His image, who is the exemplar 
of the new creation. And, 3dly, as all such are chosen to 
be monuments to the praise of the glory of GocVs grace 
to all eternity in heaven, so most of them are chosen to fill 
up some station to his glory in this world. Nay probably 
every individual among them, however late in life he is 
converted, is chosen, in some way or other, by doing, or 
suffering, or speaking, to glorify God here upon earth, be- 
fore his reception to glory in heaven. 

" And have ordained you. The word ordained, in our 
language, has a peculiar reference to the ministerial of- 
fice, and sounds as exclusively denoting the appointment of 
the persons addressed to their apostolical office. Without 
debating whether the original word must necessarily be 
understood in that confined meaning, the expression may 
fairly be applied by accommodation, at least in a more ex- 
tensive manner. According to what has been already ob- 
served, all who are chosen to salvation are chosen to holi- 
ness, which is the immediate efiect of their receiving the 



ij 



XIV.] AN UNFtJBLlSHED WORK. 295 



Spirit of Christ. Having been dead in trespasses and sins^ 
in their unregenerate state, they are by regeneration 
quickened^ and made spiritually alive, and become capable 
of the functions; employments, and pleasures of this divine 
life now communicated to them. As a member in particu- 
lar of Christ's body,* every individual has his proper place 
and office, which he is required to fill up to the glory of the 
great Head and the good of all the members of the body ; 
and is made willing, and qualified by the supply of the 
Spirit of grace, thus to fill it up, in proportion to the mea- 
sure of true religion which he has attained. Or, to change 
the figure they are all servants of Jesus Christ, and each 
one has his proper work assigned him : they are all soldiers 
of Jesus Christ, and each has his post allotted him. Some 
are ordained to serve as ministers, some as magistrates, 
some as heads of families. Some are rich, and are appoint- 
ed to be the Lord's stewards, to honor him imth their sub- 
stance : some, in an inferior situation, are called to serve 
him, like Dorcas ; (a very honourable and useful appoint- 
ment — may more aspire to it !) by making coats and gar- 
ments for the poor. Some are required to serve him in pov- 
erty, affliction, and obscurity ; but each person has his 
place, which is his proper post and appointment ; and the 
duties of that place, whatever they be, are his proper work, 
which he must faithfully, diligently, and cheerfully perform 
for his gracious master 

" The glory which God intends to himself from his peo- 
ple in this world arises mainly from their honorably filling 
up their several stations in life ; by which the genuine na- 
ture and real tendency of religion are displayed, and it is 
made to appear honourable and lovely ; and the power wis- 
dom, justice, holiness, grace, and love of God in this re- 
ligion, in his people's conversion, and holy lives and exam- 
ples, are displayed ; and God appears to be what he is, re- 
ligion to be what it is, and believers such as they ought to 
be ; the mouths of opposers are stopped ; aspersions are 
wiped off; the attention of men is attracted, their preju- 
dices softened ; and thus others are won upon, and, through 
God's blessing, brought into the church 

" Let it then be deeply impressed upon each Christian's 

mind, that he was not only chosen of the Lord to salvation, 

and to enjoy all the privileges and comforts of a child of 

God, in time and eternity ; but was also designed for some 

* 1 Cor. xii.27. 



296 EXTRACTS FROM [No. 

service, to fill up some place in the Lord's house, to his 
glory and the good of his church ; and is ordained^ or ap- 
pointed to the accomplishment of this end. It behoves 
every one, then, seriously, impartially, and humbly to in- 
quire what is that work which his Lord has given him to 
do — for he hath given to every man his work ;* what are 
the duties of his peculiar station ; and what his proper way 
of glorifying God, adorning the gospel, and serving his 
generation. This, no doubt, is the special instruction of 
the parables of the talents and the pounds, Christ does not 
mean by them, that a diligent improvement of natural abil- 
ities or providential gifts can, in any manner or degree, 
either merit or procure the grace and favor of God ; for 
this would contradict the whole tenor of the scriptures, 
deny the doctrine of natural depravity, degrade and vilify 
the law of God, and render unnecessary the merits of 
Christ, the regeneration of the Spirit, and all the great 
points of Christian doctrine : but he means that professed 
believers, such as call themselves his servants, are to evi- 
dence their sincerity, and shew their faithful love, zeal, and 
gratitude to him, by a diligent, active, and self-denying im- 
provement of their knowledge, learning, property, influ- 
ence, authorit}^, time, health, and whatever else God has 
committed to their stewardship ; so as to advance as much 
as may be the cause of true religion, and the good of man- 
kind : that, the more they do thus lay themselves out for 
God, from a genuine love to him and their fellow crea- 
tures, the more shall they have of the comfort and assur- 
ance of salvation in this world, and the more exceeding and 
eternal tveight of glory in the world to come : whilst hypo- 
crites will be detected in their hypocrisy, both in this world 
and at the day of judgment,! by their refusing and neg- 
lecting, from sloth, covetousness, pride, and self-indul- 
gence, thus to improve the talents committed to their stew- 
ardship. 

" It is to be feared that too many lose sight of these 
things, and do not as they ought to do, attend to these 
views of religion : do not let their light so shine before merty 
that they seeing their good works may glorify their Father 
tvhichls in heaven: do not by well doing put to silence the 
ignorance of foolish men : do not sufficiently remember the 
words of Christ,i: concerning the necessity of faithfulness 

* Mark xiii. 34. f See Matt. xxv. latter part. t Luke xvi. 10—13. 



XIV.] AN UNPUBLISHED WORK. 297 

in present things in order to having committed to our trust 
the true riches. 

" These things some affect to despise as legal : but let it 
be remembered that the self-righteous Pharisees also^ be- 
ing covetous^ derided them. It is not either being legal or 
evangelical in our notions that causes us to approve cor- 
dially of such passages of scripture^ but our being carnally 
or spiritually minded. He who is carnally minded j whether 
his self-deluding dependence be of a legal or an evangeli- 
cal cast, whether he trust to a form of external duties, or a 
form of knowledge concerning gospel doctrines, w^ill, on 
some pretence or other, quarrel with or deride such spir- 
itual precepts, as they discourage his hopes and expose his 
hypocrisy: but he , who is spiritually minded^ though he 
knows God, and his law, and himself too well to build his 
hopes of heaven on such scanty and imperfect duties, will 
approve of, and love, and practically enter into the very 
spirit of these precepts, because he truly loves God and 
man. — And undoubtedly nothing but this spirit generally 
prevailing among professors of religion can stop the 
mouths of gainsayers, and render religion respected and 
triumphant. 

" Thus hath Christ ordained each of us whom he hath 
chosen, that we may go and bring forth fruit. This im- 
provement of our talents in the discharge of the duties of 
our several stations, in a manner that may do credit to 
religion, is here and elsewhere called bringing forth fruit ; 
because it is the end the Lord has in view in sowing the 
good seed of his word in our hearts ; because it is the gen- 
uine result of this good seed taking deep root in our judg- 
ment and afiections ; because this attention to the duties of 
our several stations will ever be proportioned to the 
degree in which our understandings are informed, our 
judgments esiablished, and our hearts affected with the 
truths of God^s v/ord : because, if the word of God produce 
none of this effect, it produces no effect that is valuable, 
but is as unprofitable to us as seed sown by the way-side, 
or on a rock, or among thorns : and because this, and this 
alone brings glory to God and benefit to man. 

'^ Tims the apostles brought forth fruit. In order to 
glyrify God, spread the gospel, and bo a blessing to man- 
kind, tliey cheerfully renounced all the interests, gratifica- 
tions, and conveniences of life : willingly they embraced 
povcj ty, reproach, contempt, hardships, and persecutions : 



298 EXTRACTS FROM [No, 

they disinterestedly travelled from place to place, at a 
distance from their own country, and relatives and friends, 
amongst strangers, enemies, and persecutors, preaching the 
despised gospel, which w^as to the Jcivs a stumbling block j 
and to the Greeks foolishness. The same gospel they, some 
of them, under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, commit- 
ted to writing, and bequeathed as an invaluable treasure to 
all future ages. This their preaching and wTiting they 
adorned by the most blameless and holy lives ; commended 
to the divine blessing by the most fervent prayers ; con- 
firmed by willingly enduring all temporal evils for the sake 
of it ; and finally sealed it with their blood — not counting 
their lives dear unto themselves^ so that they might finish their 
course icithjoyy and the ministry ivhich they had received of 
the Lord Jesus^ to testify the gospel of the grace of God, 

" Now, though every Christian is not commissioned to 
preach the gospel ; nor required to leave his house and 
country to travel into foreign regions ; nor called to pass 
through the same measure and kind oi fiery trials : yet, un- 
less the nature of Christianity is totally changed ; unless it 
has ceased to be true, that except a man love Christ more than 
all he cannot he his disciple / it must follow^ that every Chris- 
tian is to hear fruit in his own proper place, in the same 
self-denying, active, diligent, patient, persevering manner as 
they did — constrained hy the love of Christ to live no longer 
to himself hut to him that died for him and rose again. 

" Finally, their fruit was to remain. Some interpret these 
words of their continuing to bring forth fruit to the end of 
their lives : doing it not only at first, but to the last, and at 
the last most abundantly.* And this is very consistent with 
scripture, though inconsistent with some very strange and 
mischievous notions of modern times ;t of which I shall en- 
deavour to speak in another place. But I am inclined 
rather to understand the words of the abiding ejfcct of their 
fruitfulness. They should bring forth fruit in such abun- 
dance, and of so valuable a sort, that, unlike the fruits 
which are soon ripe, and are soon either consumed or 
rotten, it should, afier having supplied the present genera- 
tion, be stored and treasured up for posterity, and be a 
blessing to millions yet unborn, even to the consummation 
of all things, yea to eternity. — Thus the fruit brought forth 

*^Rev. ii.l9. 

t Perhaps such notions as that *U is to be expected that more advanced 
Christiins will have declined from their " first love," &,c. (Rev.ii, 4.)— 
See the author's ' Giowlh inGrace,' Sect. 1., close of the first subdivisicm. 



XIV,] AN UNPUBLISHED WORK. 299 

by the apostles has remained, and will remain, to the glory 
of God and the benefit of mankind. And in the same 
manner, as I shall hereafter shew, the fruit borne by every 
true believer, may, and in some degree does, and will 
remain to after ages ; which I shall endeavour to improve 
as an incitement and encouragement to abound in these 
fruits of righteousness^ which are by Jesus Christ unto the 
praise and glory of GodP 

The two following topics are noticed in the course of 
the preceding discussion, but are here presented detached 
from it. 

ON CHOOSING THE MINISTERIAL OFFICE. 

'* It must be admitted that it is allowable, nay a duty, for 
believers sometimes to change that station in which they 
were first brought to the knowledge of God : for otherwise 
it would be still more rare than it is, for men to enter on 
the work of the ministry with suitable motives and inten- 
tions. Yet assuredly this is a step which ought not to be 
taken lightly; and which is often taken from very wrong 
motives, in a very wrong manner, and with very bad con- 
sequences. 

" Persons newly converted have generally very warm 
and flashy affections, which have more of heat than light 
in them ; and, possessing little humility, experience, and 
judgment, they are apt, in this season of well-meant, but 
often misguided zeal, to think their former employments 
in life almost too trivial to be worth minding ; and, having- 
acquired a degree of facility in speaking of divine things, 
accompanied with a love to the souls of men, and a desire 
of their salvation, they are very apt to think themselves 
immediately called to, and qualified for the work of the 
ministry : and, overlooking all other ways of glorifying 
God, serving Christ, and doing good to men, nothing will 
do but they must leave tlieir former stations, and presently 
commence preachers : presuming to judge of their own 
gifts, and their own call, and all from their own feelings. 
As if to guard against this very evil, St. Paul says, Not a 
novice ; lest being lifted up with pridcj he fall into the con- 
dcmjiation of the devil. For this vehemency springs in a 
great measure from spiritual pride, and leads to greater 
pride : till this pride, fed by popularity at first, issues in some 
sad fall : or till, popularity failing, the affections flagging, 



300 EXTRACTS FROM [^No. 

and discouragements taking place, the premature preacher 
becomes unfit for glorifyhig God either in a ministerial or a 
private station. 

" This, I suppose, may be laid down as a general rule, 
that a new convert, if not previously employed in this work, 
ought not hastily to leave his former station to engage in 
it : for this is expressly to contradict the apostle's rule. 
Some time ought to intervene, to mature his judgment, 
enlarge his views, increase his knowledge and experience. 
Much prayer, meditation, and self-examination as to the 
leading motives which influence him in this matter, ought 
certainly to precede. The advice of aged and experien- 
ced Christians and ministers ought to be taken, and much 
deference paid to it. The question of ability for the work 
should be submitted to the judgment of others, than the 
person himself, qualified and authorized thus to judge ; and 
a clear opening in the providence of God, ought to be wait- 
ed for. — Were these plain rules attended to, while some 
would be brought forward, humble, judicious, able, and 
determined ministers of Christ, many, I am persuaded, 
w^ould on due deliberation judge it their duty to glorify 
God in a private station ; and a wide spreading scandal, yea 
numerous scandals would be prevented. 

'' Previously to a sinner's conversion, he and all circum- 
stances belonging to him, his natural capacity and acquired 
abilities, his distinguishing disposition, whether more bold 
or more timid, or however varied, is perfectly known to 
the Lord. When he is called by divine grace, and a prop- 
er direction is given to these preparatory endowments, the 
great Head of the church furnishes him with that measure 
of knowledge, utterance, and other gifts Vr hich he pleases. 
And in all this he has respect to the post which he has as- 
signed him — whether his present station or some other. 
He knows best for which the person is fitted and designed : 
and therefore until, in the ways which have been mention- 
ed, he gives intimation of his pleasure that a change 
should take place, it is the new convert's duty to go on in 
his present woik, however sanguine he may be, and how- 
ever earnest in his desires to enter upon a new sphere of 
action. And he that believeth icill not make haste: he will 
wait for God, and not run before him. 

" This is a delicate subject : but the observation I have 
made of the bad effects of mistaken notions in this matter 
influences me tremblingly to venture my judgment in the 



XIV.] AN UNPUBLISHED WORK. 301 

case ; though probably it may give undesigned offence. — 
Generally^ I am convinced, it is a believers duty to abide 
in the same calling wherein he ivas called^ (provided it be a 
lawful onOj) and to endeavor to glorify God therein."* 

THE THIEF ON THE CROSS. 

" The penitent thief crucified with our Lord (the only 
scriptural example of dying repentance — and example cal- 
culated alike to preclude presumption and despair,) em- 
inently glorified Christ. He justified the blessed Jesus 
when all condemned him ; acknowledged him to be the Son 
of God, even while he Wcis hanging upon the cross for de- 
claring himself such ; avowed an unshaken faith in him, 
while even the apostles were staggered ; and committed 
his departing soul into his hands, judging himself safe and 
happy if Christ did but remember him ichen he came into 'his 
kingdom ; though both were then in dying agonies togeth- 
er. — Still further he took shame to himself, justified both 
God and man in his condemnation, openly rebuked his im- 
penitent companion, and even, by implication, reflected 
upon the whole company of by-standers, as men that fear- 
ed not Gody seeing they could so insult the holy and glori- 
ous sufferer at his side. — It may be questioned whether 
any great number of believers ever did more honour to 
Christ in their whole lives, than this man did in his dying 
moment ! — Thus guarded in the word of God is the possi- 
bility of the salvation of a sinner who only begins to re- 
pent when near death. Only one instance, and that so 
distinguished for deep repentance, strong faith, and the pro- 
per fruits of repentance and faith, according to the oppor- 
tunity afforded for them.'' 

DIVISION OF THE WORK. 

The author now lays down the tliree following proposi- 
tions, to be discused and illustrated in the remainder of his 
work. 

" I. That every believer is required to glorifv God, 
adorn the gospel, and serve his generation in the exercise 
of such graces, and the practice of such duties, as are com- 
vion to all stations. 

" II. That he is required to do the same in the practice 
of all such duties as nve ])ecidiar to the station assigned him 
by God, and to the talents committed to his stewardship. 

^^ in. That, in so doing, every such character may rea- 
^ See the author's later jiulirincnt, above pp. \iP>, M9. 
'26 



302 EXTllACTS 111031 fNo 

sonably hope, that some, both in the present and in future 
ages, will be the better for his holy and useful life." 

It is only, however, the first of these propositions that 
the author has discussed, or rather " illustrated by an in- 
duction of particulars :" and what he has executed even 
upon this is only a part of what he designed, the manu- 
script closing in the middle of a sentence. 

The following are the particulars which he has adduced. 

1. INTEGRITY AND SINCERITY. 

" A Christian is called upon by the word of God to ob- 
serve the great rule. Whatsoever ye would that men should 
do to you^ do ye even so to them : which, carefully attended 
to, would produce evident and cminenc integrity and sincer- 
ity, in word and deed, running through his whole conduct 
and conversation in the world, marking all his commercial 
transactions, and giving a weight to his character. Every 
appearance of suspicion or dissimulation, equivocation, or 
imposition, of fraud or exorbitancy in profits or advan- 
tages, is to be carefully avoided. All should be open and 
undisguised, courting inquiry, and avoiding darkness or 
shuffling : that his character in this respect may be so 
estabtistfe^, that the better any are acquainted with him, 
and the longor they have dealings with him, the more en- 
tirely they may depend on his word, and confide in his 
honesty, even where his interest is deeply concerned. — 
Even persons making no pretences to religion not unfre- 
quently acquit themselves so punctually in social life, that 
their word is as good as their bond, and men confide in 
them without hesitation. And, although it must be allowed 
that religious people, having more eyes upon them, more 
to watch for their halting^ and more who, from prejudice, 
will be ready to credit idle reports, and put bad construc- 
tions upon whatever will admit of it, have more diflicul- 
ties in this respect to encounter than others have ; yet, hav- 
ing so much more powerful motives and encouragements, 
and such exceeding great and precious promises^ both that 
tliey shall receive assistance in performing their duty, and 
that the Lord will make those ashamed who falsely accuse 
their good conversation in Christy it is very possible for 
them so to behave themselves in this matter, as, in process 
of time, nearly to put to silence the ignorance of foolish meji, 
and to force the very enemies of religion to acknowledge 
them men of approved and unimpeachable uprightness. — 
This rs the character of the citizen of Zion, that he sicear- 



XrV.] AN UNPUBLISHED WORK. 303 

etli to his oivn Jiurty and changeth not. Truth, righteous- 
nesSj disinterestedness, contempt of those things for which 
ungodly men lie, equivocate, dissemble, defraud, and injure 
one another, are essential to his character. Nor can the 
true Christian allow himself in any thing inconsistent w^ith 
this ; though he may inadvertently be betrayed into things 
which are evil, or bear the appearance of evil. 

'^ On the other hand, A false iceiglit and unjust balance 
are an ahomination to the Lord, Every species of falsehood, 
injustice, oppression, exorbitant profit, grinding - the faces 
of the poor^ taking advantage of their necessities and de- 
pendence, and all other practices of this sort, are clear 
marks of a selfish, mercenary, carnal heart, and are ever 
reprobated in God's word as evidencing the hypocrisy of 
such professors as are guilty of them. And, until all those 
whose conduct in these respects is notorious, or even 
greatly suspicious, be refused the right hand of fellowship 
by Christians, whatever they may profess, or however 
they may maJce long prayers^ and in many other re- 
spects imitate their predecessors the Pharisees of old ; and 
until true Christians are inspired with a holy ambition of 
recommending religion by eminence in such duties as have 
been pointed out ; it cannot be expected that true re- 
ligion should be respectable* or flovirkh. So loug as it 
can with any semblance of truth be said, that accredited 
professors of religion are as bad to be trusted, as hard at a 
bargain, as selfish, and as insincere, as irreligious persons 
generally are, the religion they profess will appear con- 
temptible, and the despisers and opposers of it will think 
themselves justified. What^ knoia ye not that the wiright" 
cous shall not inherit the kingdom of God ? From such 
then, Christian, tvithdraw thyself : against such bear thy tes- 
timony : with all watchfulness, and diligence, and persever- 
ance, ever avoiding all appearance of eviU and providing 
things honest in the sight of all mcn^ as well as in the sight 
of God, oppose to them by upright, punctual, disinterested 
exami[)le. — And, as a. little leaven Icaveneth the ivhole lump^ 
we should endeavor to purge out from among us those wlio 
act unwortliily, that we may be a new Inmj), and keep the 
feast, not urith the old leaven of malice and wickedness^ hut 
with the unleavened bread (f sincerity and truth. When the 
Achans'^' are |)ut out of the cam[), we may hope that the 
Lord will \n\ with us and prosper us in (iehting his battles ; 
bnt not before. Most cc^rtainly an insincere, dissemblinii", 
* Joshua vlK 



304 EXTRACTS FKOM fNo. 

selfislij and fraudulent behaviour is stronger evidence pf a 
man's hypocrisy, than any orthodoxy of sentimeiit, or nar- 
rative of experience, can be of the contrary. The law of 
God is written in the heart of the true believer, and the 
second grand precept of that law is, Thou shalt love thy 
neighbour as thyself. But surely he doth not love his neigh- 
bour as himself, nor indeed in any measure at all, who 
makes no conscience of truth and honesty in his dealings, 
when his interest or conveniency is to be served." 

2. BEING HARMLESS AKD BLAMELESS. 

" A Christian is to be an example not only of integrity, 
but of a harmless and blameless conduct," to prove the sin- 
cerity of his profession, and to recommend religion to oth- 
ers. 3o all tilings without murmurings and disputings, that 
ye may be blameless and harmless^ the sons of God, loithout 
rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among 
ivhom ye shine as lights in the world.* Even when we are 
habitually free from any allowed insincepity or injustice, in 
word or deed, towards any man, and are exemplary in this 
respect^ we may iu other things occasion mischief or unea- 
siness to others, and give needless offence. But to fulfil 
ins meraiing of the divine rule of doing to others as we 
Vrould have them do to us, we must make it our study to 
do and speak nothing which may do harm, or cause unea- 
siness to any one, in his connexions, character, or peace of 
mind. Not only should a Christian so govern his tongue as 
not to invent or propagate slanders, but to be as tender of 
the reputation of others as he would have them to be of 
his ; and not even to speak of the faults of his neighbor in 
words of simple naked truth, v/ithout addition, aggravation, 
or comment, (which is r?.rely done,) except where the glory 
of God and the good of others require it — which is com- 
paratively seldom the ceise. ThcU secret SJitisf?.ction, which 
our enviouj and medignant nature feels in expatiating 
on the miscarriages of others, must be daily mortified and 
opposed ; a guard kept on the door of our lips ; the tongue, 
that unruly tcil, that world of iniquity, wliich sets on fire 
the whole course of vtaiurc, and is set on fire of hell, brought 
under exact government ; and the whole conduct carefully] 
and watchfully regulated, that we may not do or spe^ik any1 
thing which may disturb the peace of families, cause dissen- 
sions among friends or neighbours, widen breaches already 
made, wound men's characters, interfere with their inter- 
* PhjL li. 14; 15. 



«! 



XIV.] AN UNPUBLISHED WORK. 305 

ests, irritate their tempers^ tempt them to sin^ make them 
needlessly uneasy, or tend to set them against the truths 
or the professors of the gospel. A thousand little things, 
as they may be thought, when taken apart, here require 
the strictest attention, and on our attention to them much of 
the credit of the gospel depends. Let Christ be our ex- 
ample : he never in a single instance gave offence to any 
man, but where the glory of God required it ; nor ever 
gave any man cause to accuse him as having injured him 
by word or deed : and he has left us an cxamjjle that ive 
should follow his steps, 

" The character of backbiters, slanderers, talebearers, 
makebates, busy bodies i?i other merits matters^ is so branded 
with infamy in the word of God, that assuredly no true 
Christian can in his habitual conduct deserve it ; but through 
ignorance, inadvertence, and other means, perhaps this 
part of the Christian's charaeter is as generally and la- 
mentably defective as any part whatever. While I write 
I feel myself condemned in innumerable particulars by my 
own conscience ; and many, I am persuaded, may do the 
same while they read. May the Lord humble and pardon 
us for the past, and stir up us and all Christians to more 
watchfulness, and tenderness of conscience in these things, 
in which the honour of religion is so much concerned!'' 

3. ACTIVE BENEVOLENCE. 

•• A Christian must not only be harmless and blameless, 
he must positively adorn the doctrine he professes, by au 
universally benevolent and friendly behaviour. — Now also 
is the axe laid unto the root of the trees : every tree that bring- 
eth not forth good fruit is hewn doum and cast into the fire, 
Not^only those trees which bear poisonous or bad fruit 
are to be hewn down and burned, but those which bear 
none. Not only the religious professor who is unjust, 
fraudulent, dissembling, mischievous, and slanderous^ or in 
any other way allowedly or habitually guilty of outward 
sin, is to be accounted a hypocrite, and will be found such 
at the day of judgment ; but he also who, though he main- 
tains an inoffensive conduct, and is in no way scandalous, yet 
produces none o{ those fruits (f righteousness tchich are by 
Jesus Christ to the praise and glory of God; and which espe- 
cially consist in doing good to all men for the Lord's sake. 

" God is love ; and he that dwelleth in love dwelltth in God, 
end God in him ; nor is there any thing that is more the 

26* 



306 EiXTrxACTS FKOM fN'oS 

very essence of the Christian spirit, than a kind friendl}> 
benevolent disposition, cherished upon right principles, 
and influencing us to cheerful activity in doing good, ac- 
cording to our ability and opportunity.— It was the daily 
employment of Christ to go about doing good: nor was he 
ever out of his way for this end : wherever, he went he 
found opportunities*^of shewing his friendly and loving dis- 
position towards the bodies and souls of men. Nor was 
he ever in the least averse to embrace these opportunities. 
He never permitted personal considerations to interfere ; 
though he were weary ; though he needed refreshment ; 
though men interrupted his retirement, and were ever so 
importunate ; though the time were ever so unseasonable, 
or the circumstances ever so inconvenient ; though his 
enemies were watching to find matter of accusation against 
him : or though the persons to whom he did good proved 
ungrateful ; still he was ever ready to do good. He would 
condescend to the meanest, or submit to the hardest ser- 
vices for this purpose. He was ever ready to be any 
one's servant who desired to employ him in doing good. — 
And, having in the most self denying active manner spent 
his life in doing good, he finished his course on the cross 
in the exercise "of /o^'e which passeth Icnoidedge, He came 
not to he ministered untOybut to minister ^ and to giue his lije 
a ransom for maJii/.—Aud he is our example, and requires 
us to love one another, and to do to one another as he hath 
done unto us, . . 

" Opportunities of exercising this Christ-like disposition 
can never be wanting to us in this vale of tears, if we look 
out for them. Our abilities, indeed, must needs be limited ; 
but, if the Spirit of Christ be in us, and produce in us the 
7nind that ivas in him, we shall in our measure have the 
wiUing mind that he had, whether we have much or little 
in our power. And ichere there is a willing mind, it is ac- 
cepted, according to what a man hath, and not according to 
what he hath not. If once our minds are brought to the 
Christian temper, to disregard trouble, inconvenience, and 
what interferes with our false notion of things being be- 
nealli us, with our false delicacy, our love. of ease, gratifi- 
cation, interest, the pomp and pride of life, and other, 
things of this kind— and surely, if our Lord and Master 
washed our feet, we ought also to wash one another^ s feet : 
if once we learn to love doing good for its own sake, and 
are made willing to persevere in doing it, in the midst of the 
unworthiness, perverseucss, and ingratitude of men, and , 



XIV.] AN UNPUBLISHED WORK. 307 

notwithstanding all discouragements ; a thousand occasions 
will offer, in our daily converse in life, of testifying these 
dispositions, and exercising benignity, in words and deeds, 
towards friends and enemies, relatives, strangers, and all 
men ; of shewing a sympathy with them in their afflictions, 
a satisfaction in their welfare, an attention to their interests 
and comforts, and a pleasure in serving and obliging them. 

" Nor will this be confined to the atlluent. The poorest 
may, in things suited to their condition, evince benevolence 
and kindness, as well as the rich in things suited to their^s. 
And, though others may not be so much benefitted by it in 
their temporal concerns, yet the little which the poor Chris- 
tian can do, of his little^ will as efiectually, among those of 
his own rank, adorn the gospel, soften men's prejudices, 
conciliate their affections, and glorify God, as the much that 
the rich can do of their abundance, 

■" This benignant disposition is expressed, not so much in 
a few particular instances, however great, as by a series of 
little indications, all evidently springing from the same prin- 
ciple, and directed to the same end, and giving a certain 
tincture to a man's whole character. 

" The'want of this disposition : the appearance of selfish- 
ness and indifference about the welfare and happiness of 
others, especially if they are not of our own sentiments or 
party ; and the vast preference given to our own ease, con- 
venience, needless gratification, and interest ; are much 
noticed by the enemies of religion ; who do not fail to con- 
trast the benevolence and generosity of many who make no 
professions of piety, with the selfishness and insensibility of 
many professors : and we know what inferences they draw. 
Indeed, it must needs he that offences conie^ hut wo he to that 
man hy whom the offence cometh. — And, though the infer- 
ences thus drawn are not fairly deducible from the premises, 
yet, explain and argue as we may, men will never be convin- 
ced, till we let our light so shine before me?i that thcy^ seeing 
our good ivorks, may glorify our Fatlter ivhich is in hcaccn.^^ 

4. A MEEK AND FORGIVING TE3IPER. 

" A Christian must further bring forth fruit by manifest- 
ing a meek and forgiving disposition. IMessed are the meek^ 
for they shall inherit the earth. Learn ofme^ saith Christ, 
for I am meek andloinly in heart, — Be we ever so faithful, 
upright, harmless, inoffensive, and benevolent in our con- 
duct, we are not in the least to expect that others will act 
upon the same principle towards us. We must in th-is 



308 EXTRACTS FROM [Xo. 

world lay our account with being often requited with in- 
gratitude and contempt, loaded with reproaches and calum^ 
niesj and treated with injustice and deceit. Even were we 
perfect as Christ was perfect ; holy, just, faithful, loving, 
and wise as he was ; it would not only not exempt us, but 
bring upon us from the children of disobedience, in whom 
Satan worketh, a double portion of this treatment. Thus it 
was that the world requited Jesus, and if they hated him^ 
they will hate us ; if they called him Beelzebub, we must 
expect that they will call us the same. 

'-' But mark his conduct under all the load of rude, vio- 
lent, insidious, contemptuous, cruel usage which he bore 
from every quarter. Behold the Lamb of God — meek, gen- 
tle, silent, calm, patient ; never expressing anger or resent- 
ment ; never retorting calumny or reproach ; never employ- 
ing his miraculous power to avenge himself on his enemies : 
ever ready to forgive, to do good against evil, and to 
overcome evil icith good. Behold him meekly meet 
the traitorous Judas ; lovingly heal the ear of Malchus ; 
calmly bear the insolence and cruelty of the brutal 
soldiers, the still more execrable conduct of his unrighteous 
judges, and the ungrateful exclamations of the surrounding 
multitudes. At length he breaks silence ; but it is in prayer 
— Father^ forgive them, for they know not what they do ! — 
This is the example we are to follow. Thus ought w^e to 
bear the ill treatment of mankind : thus to adorn the gos- 
pel, and shew in our conduct, that those precepts which 
enjo n us to love our enemies, to bear, and forbear, and 
forgive, and follow peace, and do good to all men, are not 
only, through grace, practicable, but, being practised, are 
inexpressibly beautiful ; both which the men of the world, 
full of pride, ; whence cometh contention,) and standing upon 
a false point of honour, deny. But it is our honour to pass by 
a transgression, — I am inclined to believe, that the divinely 
be aitiful conduct of a dying Saviour was one great instru- 
mental ciuse, in the hand of God's Spirit^ of convincing 
the ihief v.n the cross that this could be no other than the 
promised Messiah, who icas led as a lamh to the slaughter ; 
which issued in his conversion and salvation. Nor can any 
more effectual mocins be used of convincing those around 
us that w^e are indeed Christ's followers, and that our's is 
indeed the true religion, than our studying to imitate this 
example: wliereas nothing more directly leads men into, 
or fixes them in the contrary sentiment, than the acrimo- 
nious, hasty; coBtentiouSj and unforgiving spirit shewn by 



XIV.] AS UNPUBLISHED WORK. 30-9 

too many. Certainly, if an angry, unforgiving, and conten- 
tious disposition prevail so far as properly to form part of 
a man^s character, he cannot be a true Christian at all : for, 
if ^c forgive not men their trespasses^ neither icill your 
Father forgive your trespasses. '^'^ But every thing is imper- 
fect in the best of men, and, in judging of characters, much 
allowance must be made, both in this and some other cases, 
for natural temper and defective views : and therefore we 
may conclude that some true Christians are very faulty in 
this respect ; yea all in a degree, have need to'be humbled, 
to practise more watchfulness, and more to consider Hiixt 
who endured tlu contradiction of sinners against himself 

" It is a general rule, that enemies and injuries cannot 
hurt us, unless they drive us into sin. — Let it not however 
be forgotten, that meekness does not require or allow us to 
recede from our judgment, to act contrary to our conscience, 
or to be afraid of bearing a faithful testimony against sin 
and error. ^' 

5. INDIFFERENCE TO THE WORLD. 

" The Christian is called to ivalk worthy of God zcho hath 
tcdled him unto his kingdom and. g^ory, and to bring forth 
fruit ornamental to religion, and consequently honorable to 
God and profitable to men, by shewing indifference and 
deadness to the ivoi^ld and the things that are in the world. 

" God forbid, saith the apostle, that I should glory save in 
the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ ^by whom the tvorld is cru* 
cified, unto me^ and I unto the world. They who profess to 
depend on, and glory in a crucified Redeemer, must shew 
that their faith has this effect on them, or leave their sin- 
cerity suspicious : for a believing view of the cross of 
Christ, in a scriptural sense^ will ever eclipse all created 
excellency ; and the enlightened soul will see such divine 
glory and beauty in the character and law of God, in the 
gospel, and in holiness, as will powerfully attract his heart 
to them, and draw it off from the world, and thus produce 
an indifference about it, proportioned to the measure of the 
knowledge and faith that he possesses. Who is he that 
overcometti the world, hut he that believeth that Jesus is the 
Son of God '? This is the victot-y that over comet h the world, 
even our faith. If any man love the world the love of the 
Father is not in him. — Nor ouglit any man's assurance of 
salvation to rise higher than the degree in which he evinces 
this mortified s|)irit in respect to worldly things, 
** Mutt. vi. 16; xviii.3^. 



310 EXTRACTS FRO^! [N<!>. 

"'"' It is peculiarly a conversation becoming the gospel of 
Christ, when Christians appear satisfied with the sweet 
pleasures of communion with God, with the rich inherit- 
ance of the children of God, and with the honour and dis- 
tinction which God has put upon them as such ; and shew 
that tho}^ have no need to horrow of the world : w^hen, in- 
deed feedins: and feasting on the hidden manna^ the bread 
that Cometh down from heaven, the joys unspeakable and glo- 
7'ious ; or when hungering and thirsting after tliese things; 
they lose their relish for other delights, cheerfully forego 
them, and keep a distance from them : when they with- 
out reluctance renounce all those vain diversions and 
amusements in which they formerly indulged : when they 
turn azvay their eyes from beholding vanity, and learn to 
mortify the lust of the eye and the pride of life; and manifest 
a becoming contempt of those numerous attractive trifles 
which the heart of vain man wanders after, though they 
add nothing to his happiness ; when they are indifferent 
about those things which gratify the sensual appetite ; w^hen 
they can cheerfully leave those who know nothing better 
to scramble for preferments, titles, honours, and riches ; 
and, by a disinterested, unambitious conduct, shew that 
Ihey are inwardly willing to be without these things, and 
neither value themselves nor admire others on account of 
them ; but are determined* to keep at a distance from the 
very suspicion of selfishness v>dth respect to them. 

" View here, again, the example of our blessed Savior,, 
how he lived, and passed through the world, without either 
possessing, enjoying, coveting, or aspiring after any thing 
in it ; but willing to be poor, despised, neglected ; to endure 
hardship and dishonor ; to be amongst men as he that serv- 
eth ; and to leave all that the world calls great and good to 
the men of the ivorld, who have their portion in this life. 
And did he in this respect leave us no example that ice 
should foil oiv his steps ? 

" And, as was his example, so also were his instructions. 
No man can serve two masters : ye cannot serv^ God and 
mammon. Take heed and beware of covetousness. How 
hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of^ 
God ! Take heed lest your hearts be overcharged with — the 
cares of this life, 

" Nothing can be more inconsistent with the genius of 
Christianity ; nothing more contrary to a life of communion 
with God, and the hopes of eternal glory ; nothing more 
damping to those diviue deliglits ; and few things more dis- 



XIV.] AN UNPUBLISHED WORK. 311 

honorable to religion, than an apparent anxiety about the 
things of time and sense. Any thing in our habitual con- 
duct which indicates that we expect our happiness in any 
degree from the increase of wealth, from the gratification 
of our appetites, from worldly splendor and indulgence, is 
just so far contrary to Christ's example and to the Chris- 
tian temper, and dishonorable to religion ; and must de- 
duct proportionably from the pleasures of the divine life. 
The more anxious we are about such things, and the more 
we indulge in them, the less shall we be favored with spirit- 
ual joy : and, provided it be done in a proper manner, the 
more indifferent we are about these things, the more shall we 
be filled with the peace of God which passeth understanding, 

" Christians, therefore, are required to glorify God by 
parting, not only with those things which are sinful in 
themselves, but with whatever is wrong in its concomi- 
tants and consequences ; whether by disinclining us for 
spiritual exercises, making provision for the flesh, or nar- 
rowing our capacity of doing good to all men. He who 
will grasp at every advantage, and enjoy every indulgence, 
which is not in itself absolutely sinful, may not be con- 
demned for bearing corrupt fruit, but will certainly be con- 
demned for not bearing good fruit. He v/ill fall under the 
sentence of the rich man in Luke xvi, and of the wicked 
in Matthew XXV. ; both of whom are sentenced for sins of 
omission. — evidently this is not denying oiir selves , taking 
up our cross and following Christy This is the religion of 
the thorny ground hearers. The cares of this life, entering 
in, choice the icord, and it becometh unfruitful, 

" It is to be feared that tliere is much of this religion in 
the present day. Many religious professors are as merce- 
nary, as self-indulgent, as expensive and vain in their ap- 
parel and furniture, as luxurious in their manner of living, 
and as anxious about these things, as the people of the 
world. Can we really think that these are the true disci- 
ples of Jesus, and of the same religion with primitive Chris- 
tians ? that they have renounced the world, have over- 
come it, are living above it, do not love it, are crucified to 
it ? In vain will they object to such admonitions as legal, 
I am not treating of justification : on that subject I have 
avowed my sentiments. I am speaking of the evidences of 
faith, which such persons do not exhibit. — Nor are these 
' little things.' If any think them so, let him remember 
that hai nugai scria ducunt in mala. These are the things 
which discredit religion, and open the mouths of opposers, 



312 EXTRACTS FROM % [No 



and prevent professed Christians from bringing forth fruit. 
Many will excuse themselves from feeding the hungry, 
clothing the naked, or contributing to the support and pro- 
pagation of the gospel, because they cannot aftbrd it ; who 
will spend twenty times as much upon needless vanities of 
dress, furniture, and entertainments — which only feed their 
pride, and expose the carnality of their minds. Is this 
Christianity ? Is this having the law written in our hearts ? 
Is this loving God supremely, and our neighbour as our- 
selves ? Are these trifles ? Satan knows they are not, 
though many of us do not. AVill not these things appear, 
at the day of judgment, stronger evidences against us, than 
all our talk about doctrines and experiences w^ll for us ? 
Would not Isaiah, and Paid, and Peter, and other apostles, 
and our Lord himself have borne testimony against thera ?* 
and shall we then be censured for doing it? Though I am 
no advocate for monkish austerity, nor for what in the least 
tends to level the different orders of society, yet I own 
that the expensiveness of many professors in their dress, 
table, furniture, and whole st3'le of living, — carried to the 
utmost extent they can afford, if not beyond it ; often in- 
terfering with the payment of just debts, still more with 
feeding and clothing the poor ; and always in violation of 
the precept, Be not conformed to this icorld ; makes me 
ready to conclude, that they have either no love, or very 
little : and, if they have none, they are notldngj though they 
spake iciththe tongues of men and of angels, 

'^ If some lay an undue stress on these things, and put 
their own strictness in the place of Christ's righteousness, 
probably they would have vastly less success in propagat- 
ing their errors, if others did not lay too little stress upon 
them : as if it mattered little how a man hoarded and spent 
his money how he gratified his pride or luxury, provided 
he were not a cheat or a drunkard, said he had faith, and 
learned to talk of experience. ^ 

^•' I mention these things because persons of all ranks«l 
professing religion, are liable to err here ; the poor, as " 
well as the rich, shewing themselves not content u'ith such 
things as they have : not satisfied with the pleasures of re- 
ligion, without worldly things too. And I am earnest upon 
it because I am deeply convinced of its importance. It 
seems to be a breach in our walls, which is suffered to be 
neglected as of little consequence, while Satan does im- 
mense mischief by means of it. — Whether we have more 
* lia. iii. 1. p. 1 Tim. ii. 9. I Pet. iii. Luke xiv. 12— U. 



Al 



XIV.] AN UNPUBLISHED WORK. 313 

or less it is a talent^ and we must give account of it as stew- 
ards ; and the Christian spirit is, to deny ourselves, to de- 
duct from our gains and our expenses, to abridge ourselves 
of many gratifications, conveniences, and comforts, which 
are not sinful in themselves, that at one and the same time 
we may mortify the lust of the jieshj and the lust of the eye^ 
and the pride oflife^ and provide a fund for works of piety 
and charity* And what a revenue might be raised even in 
this land for such purposes, were this conduct universal 
among those who profess to be governed by the principles 
of Christianity ! This, I am persuaded, was very conducive 
to the spread of the gospel in the apostles' days. Th6 dis- 
interestedness and public spirit of Christians, who, living in 
fervent love, had even all things in common when circum- 
stances required it, v/ere both the effect and the evidence of 
their abundant grace, and were instrumental to the glory of 
God and the good of men. Thus they brought forth fruity 
and their fruit remaineth. And so doth their example, 
though but few are willing to follow it. Nor do I much 
doubt that . the same spirit will be revived amongst be- 
lievers previously, and as preparatory, to those glorious 
times which the church is waiting for, when the earth shall 
he filled ivith the knowledge of the Lord as the toaters cover 
the sea. And how worthy is it of our high calling, how be- 
coming the gospel of him who, though he was rich, yet for 
our sakes became poor , that we through his poverty might be 
made rich, to be so dead to outward things, and so filled 
with love to others, as cheerfully to retrench a needless or- 
nament, to forego a superfluous delicacy, to wear a coarser^ 
cheaper garment, or to keep a plainer table, on purpose to 
secure a fund for works of piety and charity. — And, IfthoUy 
O Christian, thus draw out thy soul to the hungry, and sat- 
isfy the afflicted soul, then shall thy light rise in obscurity, 
and thy darkness be as the noon-day ; and the Lord shall 
guide the continucdly, and satisfy thy soul in drought ; and 
thou shalt he like a watered garden, a7id like a spring of 
water whose waters fail not. 

" As tliorefore ye abound in other things, see that y€ 
abound in this grace also ; for herein is my Father glorifi- 
ed, that ye bear much fruit : so shall yc be my disciplcs,^^ 

6. CONTENTMENT AND THANKFULNESS. 

" True Christians are required to glorify God and adorn 
the gospel by a patient, contented, cheerful^ thankful spirit 

27 



314 EXTRACTS FROxM [No. 

in all circumstances and under all dispensations of provi- 
dence. 

" Man is born to trouble as the sparks jly upicards. All 
these troubles and sorrows, which intermingle with and 
embitter every relation and situation of life, are the effects 
of the righteous sentence of God pronounced on our fallen 
race ; for affliction cometh not forth of the dust^ neither doth 
trouble spring out of the ground. Is there evil in a city^ 
and the Lord hath not done it ? And indeed, as every 
thing is so far sinful as it comes short of the perfection of 
the law, so every thing inflicted on sinners,* short of com- 
plete unmixed misery, is not only just but merciful. It is 
of the Lord^s mercies that we are not consumed, 

" But none can or will see and allow this, but they who, 
being enlightened to behold the infinite glory and loveli- 
ness of the divine Being, perceive the reasonableness and 
equity of the divine law, and in consequence the utter 
hatefulness of sin, of every kind and degree of sin, which 
is the transgression of that law; (avofxia ;) and the righteous- 
ness of the curse denounced against every one that continu- 
eth not in all things written in the book of the laio^ to do 
them; and who in their judgment consider sin as justly de- 
serving God's everlasting wrath, and complete misery in hell. 
He, therefore, who professes to believe that even per- 
fect obedience merits nothing, being no more than the pay- 
ment of a just debt, but that every sin deserves unspeak^ 
able punishment, is most inconsistent indeed if he indulge 
impatience and discontent, and give way to murmurs and 
repinings when he meets with troubles, however compli- 
cated and heavy. Still the evils he endures are much less 
than he deserves, and the good he enjoys is what he has 
no right to claim. He is called upon, therefore, when the 
trial comes, to shew whether he believes his own profess- 
ed principles, and is influenced by them. — A true Christian 
sees it right that the world, being full of sin, should be 
full of sorrow ; that mankind, having abused, and indeed de- 
ified God's creatures, should have them all embittered to 
them. Especially he sees this in his own case to be fit 
and right ; and, although evenjnnocent nature would flinch 
from suffering, yet he will heartily join with Jeremiah, 
and say, shall a living man complain^ a man for the punish' 
ment of his sin ? — And this will produce, in proportion to 
the degree of grace he possesses, an habitual contented- 
aess in his station, thankfulness for the mercies he enjoys^ 



XIV.] AN UNPUBLISHED WORK, 315 

patience under the sufferings he is vis^ited with, and resig- 
nation to the will of God under losses and trials : which 
will lead him to say with Job, the Lord gave^ and the Lord 
hath taken away ; blessed be the name of the Lord: or with 
Eli; It is the Lord ; let him do ivhat seemeth him good : or 
with David, I was dumb with silence^ because thou didst if. 
And this is in a high degree honourable to God ; to his wis- 
dom, justice, faithfulness, and goodness. It shews the 
power of religion in the heart ; recommends it to others ; 
and conciliates the regard of men, who often cannot with- 
hold their approbation, and even admiration of such con- 
duct. 

" And, although Christians have not only their share in 
the ordinary troubles of life, but also many troubles pe- 
culiar to themselves, yet they have also pecaiiar supports : 
and they experience both one and the other for this end, 
among others, that they may glorify God, evidence the 
reality of religion, and recommend it to men by their pa- 
tient, contented, cheerful, thankful conduct under troubles. 
— Whom the Lordloveth he chasteneth ; and whom he loves, 
the world will hate and persecute, and the devil will envy 
and tempt ; and from all these causes they will in the world 
have tribulation^ and through much tribulation enter into the 
kingdom of God. Their Father sees it good for them to 
be crossed and disappointed, to be despised and reproach- 
ed, to be persecuted^ tried, and tempted, to be poor, or 
sick, or bereaved ; that they may be weaned from the 
world, driven from amongst the ungodly, brought near to 
him in prayer, made acquainted with his word, Jiave expe- 
rience of his faithfulness, be corrected for their sins, taught 
to sympathize with others, and led to admire the love of a 
willingly suffering Saviour. Th^y shall have grievous chas- 
tisements, that they may be partakers of his holiness, 

'' And much of the fruitfulness^ which our heavenly Fa- 
ther requires of us, consists in our properly conducting 
ourselves in these circumstances. He hath therefore set 
before us a perfect example in his beloved son, that under 
all we may look to him, lest 2ve be weary, and faint in our 
minds. He hath also given unto us exceeding great and 
precious promises, peculiarly to an afllicted state ; and is 
ever ready to fulfd them to us in answer to our prayers. Call 
upon me in the day of trouble, and I unll deliver thee, and 
thou shall glorify me. Having convinced us that the worst 
we endure is immensely better tlian we deserve, ho holds 



3l6 EXTRACTS FROM [No. 

forth to us the assurance that all things work together for 
good to them that love God ; he affords the comforting influ- 
ences of his Holy Spirit, and refreshes our souls with the 
invigorating hope of eternal happiness — that our light af- 
flict ons, ichich are but for a moment^ work for us afar 
more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, — Now then he 
bids us be content icith such things as ive have ; he patient in 
trihidation ; j^ossess our souls in patience ; rejoice in the Lord 
always ; yea glory in trihidations also. And he who most 
habitually and eminently obeys these precepts does most 
honour God, adorn the Gospel, and let his I'ght shine before 
men : and all true Christians will be disposed to do so in 
proportion to the degree of grace which they possess, ex- 
cept as its efficacy may be restrained b}" erroneous views. 

^' The grand difficulty which sincere Christians find in 
these duties proceeds from remaining sinfulness, and the 
doubts thence arising about their state. This can be re- 
moved only by carefully examining the word of God, in 
order to discover what is the real nature of true grace, 
and how it influences the heart ; carefully comparing w^ith 
this what we have experienced, and do experience ; pray- 
ing much and earnestly to be satisfied in this matter : and 
especially giving diligence to malce our calling and election 
5w?'6.— However, did not many strangely confound a com- 
plaining, desponding, gloomy spirit with true humility, 
they would by no means yield to it so much as they do. 
Did they consider how it prejudices men's minds against 
religion, as an uncomfortable thing, they would watch 
more against it, and complain to the Lord, and not to man. 
And, did they duly consider what their deservings are, and 
what their mercies ; and how able and willing Christ is to 
save sinners, though they might not be able to rejoice ever- 
more^ yet they would not dishonour religion by appearing 
always dissatisfied and discontented. — On the contrary, for 
a professed Christian cheerfully, patiently, contentedly, 
thankfully to bear poverty, pain, sickness, reproaches, con- 
tempt, and injur}' : under all praising the wisdom, justice, 
goodness, faithfulness of God ; still recommending him to 
all around as a good master and a kind father ; and expres- 
sing himself satisfied in religion, desiring no other portion 
than God, glorying in this choice of him, and rejoicing in 
the hope of heaven ; this is so powerful an argument for 
the reality and excellency of religion, as can scarcely be 
totally withstood. This alone has beeq instrumental tV 



XIV.] AN UNPUBLISHED WORK* SlT 

the salvation of multitudes ; and so great has been its effect, 
that times of persecution have ever been noted as times of 
great success to religion. — May God help us thus to glorifvi 
him !'' 

7. OBSERVANCE OF RELIGIOUS ORDINANCES. 

^^ Christians are called to glorify God, and to promote 
the cause of religion and the salvation of men, by a rever- 
ent regard to all religious institutions.— Thus Zacharias and 
Elizabeth, who were both righteous before God, ivalked in 
all the ordinances and commandments of the Lord blameless : 
yea thus our Lord declared that it becometh us to fulfil all 
righteousness. I do not find that he any where speaks of 
himself singly in the plural number, nor conceive that we 
are to interpret this answer to John the Baptist otherwise 
than in this manner : ' It becomes all the servants of God 
to put honour on all his appointments, even respecting in- 
stituted worship, by attending upon them : much more does 
it become me, who as the surety for sinners, as well as their 
example, am to magnify the law^ and make it honourable^ 
by a perfect obedienca.' 

" There are t\vo things to be considered in all public 
ordinances of religion : they are means of grace, channels, 
as it were, * through which divine blessings are communi- 
cated from Christ to those who sincerely and diligently use 
them : and they are also appointments intended to keep up 
the knowledge of the true God, and regard for religion in 
the world. Every religious ordinance, in general, when 
seriously and reverently attended on, is of the nature of a 
confession of our faith in the being and perfections, the 
authority and government of the true God ; and forms a 
protest against atheism, idolatry, and irreligion : and each 
ordinance, in particular, having its own specific meaning, 
gives the Christian an opportunity of professing his faith in 
some particular part of divine truth, and protesting against 
the opposite error. 

" Thus bloody sacrifices, made by fire to Jehovah at his 
appointed altar, were a profession of fixith in him as the 
true God ; tliat the worshippers were sinners ; that sin de- 
serveth death, and the fire of the divine wrath ; that, if the 
^ sinner were spared, a substitution must be made ; that 
without shedding of bloody and a sacrifice to divine justice, 
there was no remission ; and that the offerers expected 

27* 



SIS EXTRACTS FRO^I [*No, 

one, in tJte fulness oftime^ who should do that really which 
these sacrifices could do only typically. The persons 
therefore who presented a sacrifice protested against athe- 
ists, idolaters, irreligious persons, and self-justifiers. — 
Thus, again, circumcision was a confession of depravity as 
derived by natural generation from "Adam, a brand of guilt 
on our fallen nature, aa acknowledgment that the old na- 
ture must be put off by the circumcision of the heart to 
love God ; and that such sinners could not be justified but 
by the righteousness offaith^ of which circumcision was the 
seaL All in covenant with God must have this seal ; for 
without righteousness imputed, through faith, and the 
change of heart by the Holy Spirit, none of Adam's race 
can be taken into covenant with God. We are the circum- 
cisiom ivho icorshij) God in the Spirit^ and rejoice in Ghrist 
Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, — Baptism under 
the new testament professes all the same truths, together 
with the doctrine of the Trinity. And this appears to me 
a strong recommendation of infant-baptism, which power- 
fully tends to keep up the knowledge and belief of these 
great truths in the world ; is a protest entered against all 
opposite doctrines ; is therefore of use to the church at 
large, whether it be to the infants themselves or not — 
though it surely is as likely to be so as circumcision to the 
Jewish mfants ; puts honour on God and Christ; and there- 
fore answers the end of a divine institution. — And thus also 
does the Lord's supper most explicitly declare many most 
important doctrines, and protest against many delusions. 
And though numbers, both among professed Jews former- 
ly, and now among professed Christians, mistook the inten- 
tion of their own ordinances, and attended on them in for- 
mality, hypocrisy, and self-righteous pride ; still they were 
and are fitted to answer the end for which they were ap- 
app(Snted ; [and whenever any reformer has arisen, this has 
given him great advantage in pointing out and enforcing 
the truths implied in them ;] and a great part of our con- 
fession of Clirist, which he requires of us, consists in a 
stated, serious, and reverent attendance upon them, accom- 
panied with an explicit avowal of our intention in so doing. 
— This was what Jesus did when on eaith. Being no sin- 
ner, he was incapable of the thing primarily intended in 
the ordinances he attended on ; nor did he need them as 
means of grace, in the manner sinners do. jNeither bora 
in sin nor a sinner by practice, he needed not the circun>- 



XIV.] AN UNPUBLISHED WORK. 319 

cision of the heart, nor any atoning offerings : and of the 
baptism of repentance for the remission of sins he was inca- 
pable in its primary meaning. And the temple service, 
the passover, and other observances may be considered in 
the same light. But, as they were appointments of God^ 
he submitted to his authority in them : as they were con- 
fessions of faithj he bore testimony in them for the truth, 
and against error : as they were acts of worship, he honor- 
ed God in j&ining in them. And in so doing he is not only 
our rightousness but our example. — Nor ought it to be 
overlooked, that he is a standing example in proof that 
those may, and in some cases ought, to join in divine ordi- 
nances, who are incapable of some of the ends of the insti- 
tution. He was baptized with the baptism of repentance, 
who was incapable of repenting.' 

^' I cannot but be astonished, that so many Christians 
should consider these things as matters of indifference : and 
that, because a man may be saved without being baptized 
or receiving the Lord's supper, they should conclude that 
using these ordinances may be treated as a matter of mere 
discretion.* Doubtless all commands of God are binding 
on all to whom they are given : and the moral lav/ requires 
obedience to all institutions of a ceremonial nature so long 
as they are in force : yea the first sin was the breach of an 
appointment originally indifferent, but made binding by a 
divine command. Although a man may be saved, who for 
want of opportunity complies not with a divine institution, 
or even who ignorantly and erroneously neglects it ; yet 
the slothful or presumptuous neglect of it is equally sinful 
with the like neglect of any other duty, and as much 
requires to be repented of; being a refusal to submit to 
God's authority, a contempt of divine wisdom and good- 
ness in the appointment, the forbearing to make a required 
confession of Christ and his truth, and to worship God in 
his own prescribed manner : and he who does thus neglect 
presumptuously, slothfully, for fear of men, or from any 
motive of this kind, has little scriptural reason to conclude 
himself a believer. Nay he who from difhdence, unwarrant- 
ed suspicion, or any like cause omits a divine ordinance, 

* There is scarcely an error more prevalent, or one wliicli is enryployed 
with greater effect in the present day, tlian one nearly allied to tliat which 
is here censured. Various denominationsof Cliristians all aoiee in the es- 
sentials : therefore it is of r/o consecptence to which we attach ourselves. That 
is, if any thing is not essential to salvation it is of no importance, at least of 
no materia! importance, at all ! If a man has but a head and a heart, his 
wanting a leg, au arm, or an eye, is a matter of no moment ! 



320 EXTRACTS FROM [fS'c/ 

would do well to consider the ingratitude and folly of iiis 
conduct, and how he not only neglects a means of grace, 
but refuses God the glory due unto his name. 

" First of allj every one should inquire what ordinances 
are now, under the Christian dispensation in force, and what 
ahrogated which once were obligatory. Each one in these 
things must judge for himself; and, seeking God's teaching, 
after due deliberation be satisfied in his own mind, and not 
rashly judge those who differ from him. Then the manner 
of the administration of any ordinance should be consider- 
ed, and the persons whose duty it is to attend upon it. And 
we should not merely ask. What good may 1 get by it ? 
which thus exclusively put is a selfish question ; but, also, 
Is it my duty ? What glory may redound to God from it ? 
what advantage to the truth ? what good to men ? And 
certainly the regular and serious attendance on all public 
ordinances, and the reverential regard paid to all religious 
institutions, are exceedingly honourable to God, recommen- 
datory of true religion, and profitable to others, as an ex- 
ample of godliness, a reproof of ungodliness, and a pro- 
fession of the truth : and, on the other hand, the neglect, 
and disregard, and disrespect shewn by many religious pro- 
fessors to the public duties of instituted worship, are ex- 
ceedingly dishonourable to God, reproachful to religion^ 
and hurtful to the souls of men. 

'^ Let then that professor of religion who would bring 
forth fruit to the glory of God, the ornament of religion, 
and the good of souls, make a conscience of such things 
as these. Let him carefully and seriously sanctify the 
Lord's day, as set apart especially for the delightful exer- 
cises of religion. Let him shew that religion is delight- 
ful to him, by cheerfully detaching himself on that day, as 
much as possible, from worldly cares, employments, com- 
pany, and conversation ; banishing sloth, self-indulgence, 
and levity ; carefully redeeming his time, and diligently 
employing it in the secret, social, and public duties of re- 
ligion. Let him be constant and early at the place of 
public worship : not admitting any excuse either for wholly 
absenting himself, or for coming even a minute too late, 
which he cannot confidently urge at the day of judgment. 
Nothing is more grieving to my mind than the procrasti- 
nation so common in this latter respect among persons pro- 
fessing godliness, of every denomination. It is certainly 
very dishonorable to God whom we worship, and very 



XrV.] AN UNPUBLISHED WORK. 321 

irreverent, and a very bad example to others, for such 
persons to be constantly, or frequently, or without suffi- 
cient reason, too late at the place of worship ; to the inter- 
ruption of others, and often (I speak feelingly,) of him who 
leads the w^orship. Undoubtedly there are cases in which 
it is unavoidable : the state of j^cme persons' health, the 
necessary incumbrances of families, and other things, re- 
quire allowances : but that it is so commop, and almost 
general, and often most remarkable among persons pro- 
fessing to be religious, arises, it is to be feared, from other 
causes. Indulged sloth on the Lord's day morning ; in^ 
dulged disinclination to public worship — which, though the 
more spiritual and important part of the business for which 
We assemble, is not so well calculated, by means of nov- 
elty, as the sermon may be, to keep awake attention in a 
mind either totally or prevailingly carnal ; if not some- 
times contempt of the duty itself : these things and such as 
these too often, it is to be feared, have an influence in this 
matter which is very awful. But let that Christian wha 
would adorn the gospel beg of God a spiritual mind, that 
he may delight in public worship ; rise early on the Lord's 
day, according to his necessary avocations, that other 
things may be done with, and he may be at leisure to at- 
tend at the appointed time punctually : that he may not 
only have benefit himself but honour God in the whole of 
his public ordinances, and not interrupt but promote the 
devotion of others, and especially that of his minister. 
There is nothing that with me tends so much to make 
our public worship formal, as the continual interruption 
which arises from persons coming in after the service is 
begun. 

" Let one who would thus glorify God not only collect 
his own mind in remembrance of the glory of the Object of 
his worship, but express his reverence by a solemn seri- 
ous gesture and posture, whether kneeling or standing. 
Surely religious professors in our day are so afraid of for- 
mality that they are running into the opposite extreme. 
Can it be for the glory of God, the credit of religion, and 
the edification of others, for such persons to be irreverent 
in public worship, some in one posture, some in another, 
with vacant countenances, and inattentive looks ; or more 
attentive to those who are coming in than to what they arc 
professedly doing. I have often been shocked at the ap- 
pearancG of a worshipping congregation in this rcspec^ 



322» EXTRACTS PROM [Not 

Let every true Christian, therefore, for the honour of GoS. 
and the credit of the gospel, protest against such conduct by 
a reverent behavior. 

^' Let every such person too, as soon as he is satisfied 
that his dependence is on God's mercy through thfe atone- 
ment of Jesus Christ, and that he desires by God's grace 
to live to his glory, make public profession of his faith, sub- 
mit to Christ's authority, thankfully remember his dying 
love, and join himself in communion with his people at the 
Lord's table. And, though he be not always alike comfort- 
able there, yet let him be constant in this attendance as long 
as he lives, making a point not to absent himself without 
absolute necessity ; for excuses will ever be multiplying 
upon him ; and, so long as he is conscious that he comes in 
submission to Christ's authority, and witli desire of his bless- 
ing, though humbled, let him not be discouraged if he do 
not always find sensible benefit therein : for what is honor- 
able to the Lord must in the issue be good for our souls. '^ 

8. ZEAL FOR RELIGION. 

^' Christians in general are required to glorify God and 
do good by a prudent zeal in endeavoring to bring others 
to receive and obey the blessed gospel, both by their own 
edifying conversation or correspondence, by bringing them 
to hear faithful preaching, or by any other means which 
God has put in their power, and which consists with the 
relative duties of their station. — Much prudence is allowed 
to be requisite in this matter, and many mistakes are made 
by those whose zeal outruns their discretion, experience, 
or humility ; and young converts often thus hurt the cause 
they would promote. But I believe the Lord does vastly 
fnore approve, and will much more bless, even their im- 
prudent zeal, than the lukewarmness and indifference of 
many who censure them ; which is loathsome and abomina- 
ble to him. A young zealous Christian will be sure to meet 
with so many mortifications and disappointments as will 
abate his too warm zeal, and probably he will not be long 
before he gets into the opposite extreme. But, if his heart 
be right with God, and true religion abounds in his soul, his 
love to God and man increasing, while he is continually 
asking and receiving from God true wisdom, he will daily 
gain experience and humility, will advance in the know- 
ledge of his own heart, of human nature, and of Satan's 



^IV.] AN UNPUBLISHED WORK. 323 

devices ; and, having a more single eye to God's glory, and 
a more simple dependence on his direction and blessing, in 
all he does, he will learn to confine himself to his own 
sphere, and to use such means only as are consistent with 
his other duties ; and in this manner, without assuming 
%vhat does not belong to him, or leaving his proper calling, 
or intruding into the ministerial office, his zeal and earnest- 
ness may be very useful. — I think many ministers have 
some persons who greatly strengthen their hands, and 
whom they will acknowledge as fellow helpers with them 
in the gospel ; though they never in the least quit their 
character as laymen, never attempt to preach, nor in the 
least encroach on the ministerial office, or neglect their 
proper calling. But every person, however poor and ob- 
oscure, has relations, connexions, acquaintance, a pious book 
put into the hands of one, a letter written to another, a 
word of reproof, warning, direction, or instruction to an- 
other, as opportunity offers, if weight be added to it by 
friendly offices, and a good example, may be the blessed 
means of doing good. A word spoken in due season^ how 
good is it ! How good it is, cannot be expressed. — Espe- 
cially when persons are sick and under affliction ; at some 
of those many times which there are, the mollia tempora 
fandi^ when the mind, as it were, lies open, and invites us 
to speak ; the same things may be spoken without offence, 
which at other times would excite contempt and indigna- 
tion. Then to speak a suitable word, or to recommend 
persons to send for some pious minister, may be the means 
of incalculable good. — At other times we may induce them 
to hear the word of God. Come and let us go up to the 
house of the Lord, — In such ways prudent zeal and perse- 
vering endeavors will certainly be blessed ; and, though we 
should fail in a thousand instances, and at length succeed 
in only one, would not that one amply recompense a true 
Christian for all his labor ? Thus, when Andrew found 
Christ he used his influence with his brother Peter ; 
,and Philip did the same with Nathaniel. Come a7id seCy 
said he : and Nathaniel came, and saw, and believed. Thus 
also the woman of Samaria addressed her fellow citizens, 
Come, see a man lohich told me all things fhat ever I did : 
and we know the blessed effect. — Thus the jnouth of the 
righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh ofjudg-^ 
jtnent: his lips disperse knowledge^ and his mouth will be a 
wdl'Spring of life. This is tliat improvement which wc ougbt 



324 EXTRACTS^ &C. [No. 

to make of the gift of speech and utterance, according tt) 
our ability, when, through divine grace, the members of our 
body become instruments of righteousness unto God: and 
thus employed our tongue would indeed be, as the Psalmist 
calls it, our glory. — We know how this little member^ being 
set on fire of htll^ setteth on fire the whole course of nature^ 
and doth infinite mischief in the world, especially in pro- 
moting profaneness, infidelity, and false religion : but, were 
it set on fire, as it were, of heaven ; were our hearts filled 
with the fire of divine zeal and love ; it might be in some 
measure a proportionable instrument of communicating the 
holy flame to the hearts of others, and propagating true re- 
ligion in the world. 

" But he who would thus glorify God, and serve his gen- 
eration, must not be a mere talker : his conduct must be 
truly Christian, or he will do much mischief. He must be 
much in prayer for wisdom, much in meditation, and watch- 
ful against spiritual pride : and he must cultivate and mani- 
fest a meek, disinterested, benevolent spirit. Men will 
never believe that we really intend the good of their souls, 
if they do not find that we endeavor to do them good disin- 
terestedly in temporal things. — Finally, let me recommend 
to truly zealous Christians this caution : Not to reprove any 
person for such things as his conscience does not in some 
measure condemn, but ever to begin with things confessed- 
ly wrong. A man will fall under reproof for swearing, 
taking God's name in vain, lying, and other evils of the like 
kind, who would rage or scoff if you found fault with him 
for frequenting some diversion.'' * * # * 



THE 



'imiitit 



AN 



AUTHENTIC NARRATIVE. 



as 



PREFACE. 



If a book do not apologise for itself, it is in vain for 
tlie author to attempt it by preface : I shall, therefore, 
only declare the nature and intent of this publication. 

Indeec^ it contains little more than the history of my 
heart, that forge of iniquity ; and my conscience that 
friendly, but too often neglected monitor. By men in 
genei^al, this latter is hated, because, as far as inform- 
ed, it boldly tells the truth ; and their grand endeavor 
seems to be to lay it asleep, or to render it as insensible 
as if seared with an hot iron. Through the deceltful- 
ness of the human heart, the allurements of the world, 
and the artifices of Satan, this, at length, is commonly 
accomplished : and in the mean time, they deafen them- 
selves to its remonstrances, by living in a continual noise 
and bustle. The conflict in my soul between these two 
is here related ; and some account given of the artifices 
which Satan, in confederacy with my heart, made use 
of, to keep my conscience quiet, and silence its remon- 
strances ; and also of the means which the Lord em- 
ployed to defeat this conspiracy, to give conscience its 
due ascendancy, and to incline my before unwilhng 
heart to become obedient to its friendly admonitions ; 
with the efiect thereof upon my religious views and 
conduct. 

As to the effect of this publication respecting my 
character and worldly interest ; myself, and all that is 
dear to me, I would leave in his hands, who causeth 
all to work together for good, to them that love him, 
whom he hath called according to his purpose. And 
he hath so evinced his care over me, and goodness to 
me, in all the concerns of my past life, that it were 
shameful, if I did not most willingly cast all my care 



328 PREFACE. 

upon him for the future. But, re^ider, the effect of it 
respectmg thee, I have much at heart ; and have had, 
and shall I trust continue to have it much in my 
prayers. 

If thou art a believing servant of God, I hope thou 
wilt see cause to bless God in me, and wilt be estab- 
lished and comforted thereby ; according to the fervent 
desire of my soul, for all that love the Lord Jesus 
Christ in sincerity. If thou art one, whose experi- 
ence ans:wers in many things to what is related in the 
former part of this narrative, as face answers to face 
in the water, may the Lord, the Spirit who convinceth 
of sin, alarm thy drowsy conscience, and bring thee 
under a serious concern for thy precious soul, and its 
eternal interests : may he incline thine heart diligently 
to use the means here spoken of, as far as conscience 
evidences it to be thy duty : and may he bless the 
means for enlightening thy mind with the knowledge 
of the truth as it in Jesus ; and guiding thy wandering 
feet into the ways of peace. This, be assured, is my 
hearty prayer for thee ; and with this prayer I com- 
aaend this work unto the Lord, that if it he his blessed 
will, he may employ it as an instrument for advancing 
his glory, and the salvation of souls. 

THOMAS SCOTT. 

JVeston, Underwood, Feb. 26, 1779. 



THE 

FORCE OF TRUTH. 

PART I. 

Giving an Account of the State of the Author's Mind, and Conscience, 
previous to, and at the commencement of that Change, whereof he 
purposes to give the History. 

Notwithstanding that I was not educated in what is 
commonly considered as ignorance of God and religion ; 
yet until the sixteenth year of my age^ I do not remember 
that I ever v/as under any serious conviction of my being a 
sinner^ in danger of wrath, or in need of mercy : nor did 1 
ever, during this part of my life, that I recollect, offer one 
hearty prayer to God in secret. Being alienated from God 
through the ignorance that was in me, I lived without him 
in the world ; and as utterly neglected to pay him any vol- 
untary service, as if I had been an Atheist in principle. 

But about my sixteenth y^ar I began to see that I was a 
dinner : a leper in every part, " there being no health in 
me ;" out of many external indications of inward depravity, 
conscience discovered, and reproached me with one ; and 
I was, for the first time, disquieted with apprehensions of 
the wrath of an offended God. My attendance at the 
Lord's table being expected about the same time, (though I 
was very ignorant of the meaning and end of that sacred 
ordinance,) this circumstance, united with the accusations 
of my conscience, brought an awe upon my spirits, and in- 
terrupted my before undisturbed course of sin. 

Being, however, an utter stranger to the depravity and 
helplessness of fallen nature, I had no doubt but I could 
amend my life whenever I pleased. Previous, therefore, to 
communicating, 1 set about an unwilling reformation ; and 
procuring a form of prayer, I attempted to pay my secret 
addresses to the Majesty of Heaven. In this manner hav- 
ing silenced my conscience, I partook of the ordinance, 
h^ld my resolutions, and continued my devotions, such, as 



330 THE FORCE OF TRUTH : 

they were, for a little space ; but they were a weariness' 
and a task to me ; and temptations soon returning, I relaps- 
ed, my prayei-book was thrown aside, and no more thouglit 
of, till my conscience was again alarmed by the next warn- 
ing given for the celebration of the Lord's supper. Then 
the same ground was gone over again, and with the same 
issue. My goodness was like the morning dew, that pass- 
eth away ; and loving sin, and disrelishing religious duties 
as much as ever, I returned, as the sow that is washed, to 
her wallowing in the mire. 

With little variation this was my course of life for nine 
years ; but in that time I had such experience of my own 
weakness, and the superior force of temptation, that I se- 
cretly concluded reformation in my case to be impractica- 
ble. " Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the Leopard 
his spots ?'^ I was experimentally convinced that I was 
equally unable, with the feeble barrier of resolutions and ei> 
deavours, to stem the torrent of my impetuous inclinations, 
when swelled by welcome, suitable ai\d powerful tempta- 
tions : and being ignorant that God had reserved this to 
himself as his own work, and had engaged to do it for the 
poor sinner, who, feeling his own insufficiency, is heartily 
desirous to have it done by him ; I stified my convictions as 
well as I could, and put off my repentance to a more coiir 
venient season. 

But being of a reflecting turn, and much alone, my mind 
was almost constantly employed. Aware of the uncertain- 
ty of life^ I was disquieted with continual apprehensions, 
that this more convenient season would never arrive ; espe- 
cially as, through an unconfirmed state of health, I had 
many warnings, and near prospects of death, and eternity. 
For a long time I entertained no doubt, but that impenitent 
sinners would be misertible for ever in Hell ; and at some 
seasons such amazing reflections upon this^ awful subject 
forced themselves into my mind, that I was overpowered 
with them, and my fears become intolerable. At such 
times my extempore cries for mercy were so wrestlins: and 
persevering, that I was scarcely able to give over ; though 
at other times I lived without prayer of any sort ; yet, in 
jny darkest hours, though my conscience was awakened to 
discover more and more sinfulness in my whole behaviour, 
there remained a hope that I should one day repent and 
turn unto God. If this hope was from myself, it was a 
horrid presumption ; but the event makes me willing to 



AN AUTHENTIC NARRATIVE. 331 

acknowledge a persuasion that it was from the Lord ; for 
had it not been for this hope^ I should probably have 
given way to temptations^ which frequently assaulted me, of 
putting an end to my own life^, in proud discontent with my 
lot in this world, and mad despair about another. 

A hymn of Dr. Watt's in his admirable little book for 
children, entitled, " The ail-seeing God/^ at this time fell in 
my way \ I was much affected with it, and having commit- 
ted it to memory, was frequently repeating it, and was there- 
by continually remmded of my guilt and danger. Parents 
may from this inconsiderable circumstance be reminded, 
that it is of great importance to store their children's minds 
with such useful matter, instead of suffering them to be fur- 
nished with such corrupting trash, as is commonly taught 
them. They know not what use God may make of these 
early rudiments of instruction in future life. At this period, 
though I was the slave of sin, yet, as my conscience was not 
pacified, nor my principles greatly corrupted, there seemed 
some hope concerning me ; but at length Satan took a very 
effectual method of silencing my convictions, that I might 
sleep securely in my sins : and justly was I given over to a 
strong delusion to believe a lie, when I held the truth that I 
did know in unrighteousness. A Socinian comment on the 
Scriptures came in my way, and I greedily drank the poi- 
son, because it quieted my fears, and flattered my abomina- 
ble pride. The v/hole system coincided exactly with my 
inclinations, and the state of my mind, and approved itself to 
me. In reading this exposition, sin seemed to lose its na- 
tive ugliness, and appear a very small and tolerable evil ; 
man's imperfect obedience seemed to shine with an almost 
divine excellency ; and God appeared so entirely and ne- 
cessarily merciful, that he could not make any of his crea- 
tures miserable, without contradicting his natural propensi- 
ty. These thin^^s influenced my mind so powerfully, that 
I concluded that notwithstanding a few little blemishes, I 
was, upon the whole, a very worthy creature. Then fur- 
ther, the mysteries of the Gospel being explained away, or 
brought down to the level of man's comprehension by such 
proud and Corrupt, though specious re;>sonings ; by acceding 
to these sentiments, I wiis in my own opinion, in point of un- 
derstanding and discernment, exalted to a superiority above 
the general run of mankind; and amused myself with look- 
ing down with contempt upon such as were wtv.Jv enough to 
believe the orthodox doctrines. Thits I generally soothed 



332 THE FORCE OF TRUTH: 

my conscience ; and if at any time I was uneasy at the ap- 
prehension that I did not thoroughly deserve^ and was not 
entirely fit for heaven ; for the same book afforded me a 
a soft pillowj on which to lull myself to sleep : it argued^ 
and I thought it proved^ that there were no eternal torments ; 
and insinuated, that there were no torments except for no- 
torious sinners ; and that such, as should fall just short of 
Heaven, would sink into their original nothing. With this 
welcome scheme I silenced all my fears, and told my ac- 
cusing conscience, that if I fell short of Heaven, I should 
be annihilated, and never be sensible of my loss. -j 

By experience I am well acquainted with Satan's inten- 
tion, in employing so many of his servants to invent those 
pestilent errors, whether in speculation or practice, that 
have in all ages corrupted, and enervated the pure and pow- 
erful doctrine of the Gospel ; for they lead to forgetfulness 
of God, and security in sin, and are deadly poison to every 
soul that imbibes them, unless a miracle of grace prevent. 
Such, on one hand, are all the superstitious doctrines of po- 
pery, purgatory, penance, absolutions, indulgencies, merits 
of good works, and the accepXableness of will worship, and 
uncommanded observances ; what are these but engines of 
the Devil, to keep men quiet in their sins ? Man, resolved 
to follow the dictates of his depraved inclination, and not to 
bound his pursuits and enjoyments within the limits of God's 
holy law, catches at any thing to soften the horrible thought 
of eternvil misery. This is the awakening reflection, God's 
swo^d in the conscience, which 'tis Satan's business, by all 
his diabolicrd artifice, to endeavour to sheath, blunt, or turn 
aside; .' n }wing, that whilst the alarming apprehension is 
pie.sent to the soul, he can never maintain his possession of 
it in peace, ^y such inventions therefore as these, he 
takes care to furnish the sinner with that which he seeks 
for, and to enable him to walk according to the course of 
this wicked world, and the desires of depraved nature, with- 
out being disturbed by such dreadful thoughts. The same, 
on the other hand, is the tendency of all those speculations 
of reasoning men, which set God's attributes at variance 
with each other : which represent the supreme Governor so 
weakly merciful, as neither to regard the demands of his 
justice, the glory of h*s holiness, the veracity of his word, 
nor the peace ibie ci der and subordination of the universe ; 
which explain away all the mysteries of the Gospel ; and 
represent sin, that fruitful root of evil, that enemy of God, 



^ 



AN AUTHENTIC NARRATIVE. 333 

that favourite of Satan, as a very little thing, scarce no- 
ticed by the Almighty ; and which, contrary to Scripture ; 
and universal experience and observation, would persuade 
lis, that man is not a depraved creature. 

These latter sentim.ents I acceded to, and maintained, as 
long as I could : and I did it, most assuredly, because they 
soothed my conscience, freed me from the pressing fears of 
damnation, and enabled me to think favourably of myself. 
For these reasons alone I loved^ and chose this ground, I 
fixed myself upon it, and there T fortified myself with all the 
arguments, and reasonings I could meet with. These things 
I wished to believe ; and I had my wish, for at length I did 
most confidently believe them. Being taken captive in 
this snare by Satan, I should here have perished, with a lie 
In my right hand, had not that Lord, whom I dishonoured, 
snatched me as a brand from the burning. 

In this state of mind I attempted to obtain admission into 
holy orders. Wrapt up in the proud notion of the dignity 
of human^ nature, I had lost sight of the evil of sin, and 
thought little of my own sinfulness ; I was filled with a 
self-important opinion of my own worth, and the depth of 
my understanding; I had adopted a system of religion, ac- 
commodated to that foolish pride, having almost wholly dis- 
carded mysteries from my creed, and regarding with sove- 
reign contempt those who believed them. As far as I un- 
derstood those controversies, I was nearly a Socinian, and 
a Pelagian, and wholly an Arminian 5 yet, to my shame be 
it spoken, I sought to obtain admission into the ministry, in 
a church whose doctrines are diametrically opposed to all 
the three ; without once concerning myself about those 
barriers, which the wisdom of our forefathers have placed 
about her, purposely to prevent the intrusion of such dan- 
gerous heretics as I then was. 

Whilst I was preparing for this solemn office, I lived, as 
before, in known sin, and in utter neglect of prayer ; my 
whole preparation consisting of nothing else, but an atten- 
tion to those studies which were more immediately requir- 
ed, for my reputably passing through the previous exami- 
nation. 

And thus, after some difficulty, with a heart full of pride, 
and all manner of wickedness, my life being polluted with 
many unrepented, unforsakcn sins, without one cry for mer- 
cy, one prayer for direction, or assistance in, or a blessing 
upon what 1 was about to do ; after having concealed my 



1' 



334 THE FORCE OF TRUTH : 



real sentiments under the mask of general expressions ; af- 
ter having subscribed articles directly contrary to my then 
belief; and after having blasphemously declared in the pre- 
sence of God and the congregation, in the most solemn man- 
ner, sealing it with the Lord's supper, that I judged myself 
to be inwardly moved by the Holy Ghost to take this office 
upon me, (not knowing or believing that there was a Holy 
Ghost,) on September the 20th, 1772, I was ordained a 
Deacon. Forever blessed be the God of all long suffering 
nnd mercy, who had patience with such a rebel and blas- 
phemer, such an irreverent trifler with his majesty, and 
such a presumptuous intruder into his sacred ministry ! I 
never think of this daring wickedness, without being filled 
with amazement that I am out of hell ; without adoring that 
gracious God, who permitteth such an attrocious sinner to 
live, yea, to serve him, and with acceptance, I trust, to call 
him Father, and as his minister, to speak in his name. 
" Praise the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me^ 
bless his holy name ; Praise the Lord, O my soul, and for- 
get not all his benefits ; who forgiveth all my sins, and heal- 
eth all thy infirmities ; who saveth thy life from destruc- 
tion, and crowneth me with mercy and loving kindness." 
May I love much, and very humbly and devotedly serve 
that God who has multiplied his mercies, in abundantly 
pardoning my complicated provocations ! 

My views in entering into the ministry, as far as I can 
ascertain them, were these three. — 1. A desire of a less la- 
borious:^ and more comfortable way of procuring a liveli- 
hood, than otherwise I had a prospect of.— 2. The expec- 
tation of more leisure to employ in reading, of which I was 
inordinately fond. — And 3. A proud conceit of my abili- 
ties, and a vain glorious imagination, that I should some 
time distinguish and advance myself in the literary world. 
These were my ruling motives in taking this bold step : 
motives as opposite to those which should have influence 
therein, as pride is opposite to humility ; ambition to con- 
tentedness in a low estate, and a willingness to be the least 
of all and servant of all ; as opposite as love of self, of the 
world, of filthy lucre, and slothfid ease, is opposite to the 
love of God, and of souls, and of the laborious work of the 
ministry. Mine therefore be the shame of this heinous 
sin ; and to God b,e all the glory of over-ruling it for good, 
I trust both to unworthy me, and to his dear people, the 
church, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 

\ 



Am AUTHENTIC NARRATIVE. 335 

My subsequent conduct was suitable to tliese motives. 
No sooner was I fixed in a curacy, than with close applica- 
tion I sat down to the study of the learned languages, and 
such other matters as I considered most needful, in order 
to lay the foundation of my future advancement. And 
would I were now as diligent in serving God, as I was then 
in serving self, and ambition I I spared no pains ; I shun- 
ned, as much as I well could all acquaintance and diver- 
sions ; and I retrenched upon my usual hours of sleep, that 
I might keep more closely to this business. As a minister, 
I attended just enough to the public duties of my station, to 
support a decent character, which I deemed subservient to 
my main design ; and from the same principle I aimed at 
morality in my outward deportment and affected seriousness 
in my conversation. As to the rest, I still lived in the 
practice of what I knew to be sinful, and in the entire neg- 
lect of all secret religion : if ever inclined to pray, con- 
scious guilt stopped my mouth, and I seldom went further 
than '' God be merciful unto me.'^ However perceiving 
that my Socinian principles were very disreputable ; and 
being conscious, from my own experience, that they were 
unfavourable to morality, J concealed them, in a great mea- 
sure, both for my credit's sake, and from a desire I enter- 
tained, subservient to my main design, of successfully incul- 
cating the practice of the moral duties upon those to whom 
I preached. My studies, indeed, lay very little in divinity, 
but this little all, opposed that part of my scheme which 
respected the punishment of the wicked in the other world ; 
and therefore, (being now removed at a distance from 
those authors whence I had imbibed my sentiments, and from 
whose reasonings I had learned to defend them,) I began 
gradually to be shaken in my former confidence, and once 
more to be under some apprehensions of eternal misery. 
Being also statedly employed, and with the appearance of 
solemnity in the public worship of God whilst I neglected 
and provoked him in secret ; my conscience clamorously 
reproached me with base hypocrisy, and I began to con- 
clude, that if eternal torments were reserved for any sin- 
ners, I certainly should be one of the number. And now 
again I was filled with anxious fears, and terrifying alarms ; 
especially as I was continually meditating upon what might 
be the awful consequence, should I be called hence by sud- 
den death* Even my close application to study could not 



3S6 THE FORCE OP TRIsITFI, &G. 

sooth my conscience, nor quiet my fears : under the affect- 
ed air of cheerfulness, I was truly miserable. 

This was my state of mind when the change I am about 
to relate began to take place. How it commenced, in what 
manner, and by what steps it proceeded, and how it was 
completed, will be the subject of the second part of this 
work. This first part I shall conclude by observing, that 
though I was staggered in my favourite sentiment before 
mentioned, and in my views of the person of Christ, was 
verging towards Arianism ; yet in my other opinions I was 
more confirmed than ever. What those opinions were, I 
have already in brief declared ; and they will occur again, 
and be more fully explained, as I proceed to relate the 
manner in which I was constrained to renounce them, one 
after another, and to accede to those that were directly 
contrary thereto. Let it suffice to say, that I was brim full 
of proud self-sufficiency, very positive, and very obstinate : 
and being situated in the neighbourhood of some of those 
whom the world calls methodists,* I joined in the prevailing 
sentiment, held them in sovereign contempt, spoke of them 
in derision, declaimed against them from the pulpit, as per- 
sons full of bigotry, enthusiasm, and spiritual pride ; laid 
heavy things to their charge, and endeavoured to prove the 
doctrines which I supposed them to hold, (for I had never 
read their books,) to be dishonourable to God, and destruc- 
tive to morality. And though in some companies 1 chose 
to conceal some part of my sentiments, and in all affected 
to speak as a friend to universal toleration ; yet scarce any 
person could be more proudly and violently prejudiced 
against both their persons and principles, 

* Methodists, as a stigma of reproach, was first applied to Mr. Wesley, 
Mr. Whitfield, and their followers; to those, who, though professing an 
attachment to our established church, and disclaiming the name of Dissen- 
ters, were not conformists in point of parochial order, but had separate sea- 
sons, places, and assemblies for worship. The term has since been exten- 
ded by many to all persons, whether clergy or laity, who preach or profess 
the doctrines of the reformation, as expressed in the articles and liturgy of 
our church. For this fault they must all submit to bear the reproachful 
name alike, especially the ministers ; nor will the most regular and peace- 
-able compliance with the injunctions of the rubric, exempt them from it, if 
ihey avow the authorized, but now exploded doctrines to which they have 
subscribed. My acquaintance hitherto has been only with Methodists of 
this latter descriptioQ : and I have them only in view, whenever I use the 
term. 



PART II. 

Containing an fl^tifor^ of this change ; the tnanncr in which, and the 
means by which it was at length eifected. 

In January, 1774, two of my parishioners a man and his 
wife, lay at the point of death. I had heard of it, but ac- 
cording to my general custom, not being sent for, I took no 
notice of it ; but one evening, the woman being already 
dead, and the man dying, I heard that my neighbor Mr. 

, had been several times to visit them. Immediately 

my conscience reproached me with being shamefully negli- 
gent, in sitting at home within a few doors of dying persons, 
my general hearers, and never going to visit them. Directly 
it occurred to me, that whatever contempt I might have for 
Mr, — - — 's doctrines, I must acknowledge his practice to be 
more consistent with the ministerial character, than mine. 
He must have more zeal and love for souls than I had, or 
he would not have walked so far to visit and supply my 
lack of care to those who, as far as I was concerned, might 
have been left to perish in their sins. 

This reflection affected me so much, that earnestly, yea, 
with tears and without dela}^, I besought the Lord to forgive 
my past neglect ; and resolved henceforth to be more at- 
tentive to this duty : which resolution, though at first form- 
ed in ignorant dependence on my own strength, I have by 
divine grace been enabled hitherto to keep. Immediately 
I went to visit the survivor ; and the affecting sight of one 
person already dead, and another expiring in the same 
chamber, served more deeply to impress my serious convic- 
tions : and from that time I have constantly visited the 
sick of my parishes, as far as I had opportunity ; and have 
endeavoured, to the best of my knowledge, to perform that 
essential part of a parish minister's duty. 

Some time after this, a friend recommended to my peru- 
sal the conclusion of Bishop Burnet's History of His 
Own Times, especially that part which respects the clergy. 
It had the intended effect : 1 was considerably instructed, 
and impressed thereby ; I was convinced, that my entrance 
into the ministry had been the result of very wrong motives, 
was preceded with a very unsuitable preparation, and ac- 
companied with a very improper conduct : sonio Uttoasincss 

29 



33^ THE FORCE OF TRUTH : 

tV'as also excited in my mind, coiicerning my negleCt of the 
important duties of that hi^h calling. And though I was 
too much the slave of sin, devoted to olher studies, and in 
love with this present world, to relinquish my flattering 
pursuit of reputation and preferment, and change the course 
of my life, studies, and employments : 3-et I experienced, 
by intervals, desires and purposes at some future period, of 
devoting myself wholly to the work of the ministry, in the 
manner to which he exhorts the clergy. 

All these things increased the clamorous remonstrances 
of my conscience ; and at this time I lived without any se- 
cret religion, because without some reformation in my con- 
duct as a man, and a minister, I did not dare to pray, ^^y 
convictions would no longer be silenced, or appeased ; and 
they became so intolerahly troublesome, that 1 resolved to 
make one more effort towards amendment. In good earn- 
est, and not totally without seeking the assistance of the 
Lord by prayer, I attempted to break the chains w^here- 
with Satan had hitherto held my soul in bondage. It 
pleased the Lord, that I at this time should obtain some 
advantages ; part of my grosser defilements I was ena- 
bled to relinquish, and to enter upon a form of devotion. 
Formal enough indeed it was ! for I neither knew that 
jMediator, through vrhom, nor that Spirit, by whom prayers 
are offered with acceptance to God ; and yet though utterly 
in the dark, as to the true and living way to the throne of 
grace, I am persuaded, there were even then seasons, when 
I was enabled to rise above a mere form, and to offer peti- 
tions so far spiritual y as to be accepted and answered. 

I waiS now somewhat reformed in my outward conduct ; 
but the renewing in the spirit of my mintl, if begun was 
scarce discernible. As my life, was, in my own judgment, 
less wicked, my heart grew more proud ; — the idol self was 
the object of my adoration and obeisance : my worldly ad- 
vancement was more eagerly sought than ever ; some flat- 
tering prospect seemed to open, and I resolved to improve 
my advantages, to the uttermost. At the same time every 
thing tended to increase my good opinion of myself; I was 
treated, with kindness, and friendship by persons, from 
whom I had no reason to expect it ; my preaching was well 
received ; my acquaintance seemed to be courted ; my 
foolish heart verily believed, that ajl this, and much more,^ 
was due to my superior worth ; whilst conscience, which 
before, by its mortifying accusations", was useful to pre- 



1 



AN AUTHENTIC NARRATIVIT. 33^ 



serve some sense of unwortliiness in my mind, was now^ 
silencedj or seemed to authorize that pride, which hefore it 
checked. And because I had the disadvantage of convers- 
ing in general with such persons, as either favoured my 
.sentiments ; or out of good manners, or because they saw 
it would be in vain, would not contradict me ; I concluded 
that my scheme of doctrine was the exact standard of truth, 
and that by my superior abilities I was capable of confuting 
or convincing all, who were otherv/ise minded. In this 
view of the matter, I felt an eager desire of entering into a 
religious controversy, especially with a Calvinist.^ 

It was at this time that my correspondence with Mr. 
-commenced. At the visitation. May, 1775, we ex- 
changed a few w^ords in an argumentative way, in the 
room among the clergy, which I believe drew many eyes 
upon us. At that time he prudently declined the discourse, 
but a day or two after sent me a short note, and a little 
book for my perusal. This was the very thing I wanted, 
and I gladly embraced the opportunity, v, hich, according 
to my^ wishes, seemed now to oifer. This I did, God 
knoweth, with no inconsiderable expectations, that my ar^ 
guments would prove irresistibly convincing, and that I 
should have the honour of rescuing a well meaning person 
from his enthusiastical delusions. 

Indeed at this time I had conceived a very favourable 
opinion of, and sort of respect for him ; because I was ac- 
quainted with the character he sustained even among some 
persons, who expressed a disapprobation of his doctrines ; 
they were forward to commend him as a benevolent, disin- 
terested, and inoffensive person, and a laborious minister. 
On the other hand, I looked upon his religious sentiments 
as rank fanaticism, and entertained a very contemptible 
opinion of his abilities, natural and acquired. Once I had 
the curiosity to hear him preach, and not understanding his 
sermon, I made a very great jest of it, where I could do it 
without giving offence. I had also read one of his publica- 
tions ; but for the same reason, I thought the greater part 
of it to be whimsical, paradoxical, and unintelligible. 

Concealing tlierefore the true motives of my conduct un- 
der the offer of friendship, and a professed desire to know 
the trutli, (which amidst all my s( If suftrciency and prejudice, 
I trust the Lord had even then given me,) with the greatest 
affectation of candor, and a mind open to conviction, I 
wrote him a long letter : purposing to draw from him such 



340 tint FORCE OF TRUTH : 

an avowalj and explanation of his sentiments as would in- 
troduce a controversial discussion of our religious difter- 
ences. 

The event by no means ansvvered my expectations ; he 
returned me a very friendly and long answer to my letter ; 
in which he carefully avoided the mention of those doc- 
trines, which he knew would offend me ; he declared j that 
he believed me to be one that feared God, and that was un- 
der the teaching of his Holy Spirit ; that he gladly accepted 
my ofier of friendship, and was no ways inclined to dictate 
to me : but leaving me to the guidance of the Lord, would 
be glad, as occasion served, from time to time, to bear testi- 
mony to the truths of the Gospel, and to communicate his 
sentiments unto me, on any subject, with all the confidence 
of friendship. 

In this manner our correspondence began, and was con- 
Hnued, in the interchange of nine or ten letters, until De- 
cember the same year. Throughout I held my purposes, 
and he his ; I made use of every endeavour to draw him 
into controversy, and fdled m.y letters with definitions, en- 
quiriesj arguments, objections consequences, and required 
explicit aiisvvers ; he, on the other hand, shunned every 
thing controversial, as much as possible, and filled his letters 
with the most useful and least offensive instructions ; ex- 
cept that novv and then he dropped hints concerning the 
necessit}', and the true nature and efficacy of faith ; and 
the manner in which it was to be souo^ht, and obtained ; and 
concerning some other matters, suited, as he judged, to 
help me forward in my inquir}^ after truth. But they much 
offended my prejudices, afforded me matter of disputation, 
and at that time were of little use to me. 

This however is certain, that through the whole of the 
correspondence, I disputed with every argument I could 
devise against almost every thing he advanced ; was very 
much nettled at many things he asserted ; I read great part 
of his letters, and some books he sent me, with much indif- 
ference and contempt ; construed his declining controversy 
into an acknowledgement of weakness ; and triumphed in 
many companies as having confuted his arguments. And 
at the last, when I could not obtain my end, at my instance 
the correspondence was dropped. 

His letters and my answers are now by me ; and on a 
careful perusal of them, compared with all that I can recol- 
lect concerning thi$ matter, I give thJs as a faithful ?iqcowRt 



AN AUTHENTIC NARRATIVE. 341 

of this -correspondence, though different from what has 
been represented. His letters will, I hope, shortly be 
made public, being such as promise greater usefulness to 
others, than, through my proud contentious spirit, I experi- 
enced from them. Mine deserve only to be forgotten, ex- 
cept, as they are useful to me to remind me what I was^ 
and to mortify my pride ; as they illustrate my friend's 
patience and candour, in so long bearing with my ignorance 
and arrogance ; and notwithstanding my unteachable, quar- 
relsome temper, continuing his benevolent labours for my- 
good ; and especially as they remind me of the goodness of 
God, who, though he abominates and resists the proud j, 
yet knows how to bring down the stout heart, not only by 
the iron rod of his Vv-rath, but by the golden sceptre of his 
grace. 

In this manner our correspondence and acquaintance, for 
the present, was almost wholly broken off : for a long time 
we seldom met, and then only interchanged a few words on 
general topics of conversation. — Yet all along he perse ver- 
ingly told me, to my no small offence, tliat I should accede 
one day to his religious principles ; that he had stood on 
my ground, and that I should stand on his ; and he constant- 
ly informed his friends, that, though slowly, I was surely 
feeling the way to the knowledge of the truth. So clearly 
could he discern the dawnings of grace in my soul, amidst 
•ail the darkness of depraved nature, and obstinate rebellion 
to the will of God. 

This expectation was principally grounded on my con- 
duct in the following circumstances. Immediately after 
the commencement of our correspondence, namely in May, 
1 775j whilst my thoughts were much engrossed by some 
hopes of preferment ; one Sunday, during the time of di- 
vine service, when the psalm was named, I opened the 
pra3^er-book to turn to it ; but, (accidentally shall I say, or 
providentLiUy ?) I opened upon the articles of religion ; 
and the eighth, respecting the authority and warrant of the 
/Vthanasian creed, immediately engaged my attention. My 
disbelief of the doctrine of a ti'inity oH co-equal persons in 
the unity of the Godhead, and my pretensions to candour, 
both combined to excite my hatred to this creed ; for whicli 
reasons, I had been accustomed to speak of it with con- 
tempt, and to neglect reading it officially. No sooner 
therefore did I read the words, " That it was to be thor- 
oughly received, apd believed ; for that it might be proved 

29* 



342 THE FORCE OF TRUTH : 

by most certain warrants of holy scripture ;" than my min(i 
was greatly impressed, and affected. The matter of sub- 
scription immediately occurred, and from that moment I 
conceived such scruples about it, that until my view of the 
whole system of gospel doctrine was entirely changed, they 
remained insuperable. 

^Tis wisely said by the son of Sirach, ^' jNIy son, if thou 
come to serve the Lord, prepare thy soul for temptation.'' 
I had twice before subscribed these articles, with the same 
religious sentiments I now entertained. But conscience 
being asleep, and the service of the Lord no part of my 
concern, I considered subscription as a matter of course, a 
necessary form, and very little troubled myself about it. 
But now though full of pride, of ambition, and of the love 
of the world, my heart was sincerely towards the Lord, 
and I dared not to venture on a known sin deliberately^ 
for the sake of temporal interest. Subscription to articles 
w^hich I did not believe, paid as a price for church prefer- 
ment, I looked upon as an impious lie, a heinous guilt, that 
could never truly be repented of, without throwing back 
the wages of iniquity. The more I pondered it, the more 
strenuously my conscience protested against it. At length, 
after a violent conflict betwixt interest and conscience I 
made known my scruples, and my determination not to 
subscribe : thus my views of perfermcnt were deliberaiely 
given up, and with an increasing family I was left, as far 
as mere human prudence could discern, with little other 
prospect than that of poverty and distress. My scruple 
was, as I now see, a mistaken one ; much self-sufliciency, 
undue warmth of temper, and obstinacy, were betrayed in 
the management of this affair, for which I ought to be hum- 
bled. But my adherence to the dictates of my conscience, 
and holding fast my integrity in such trying circumstances, 
I never did, nor I trust ever shall repent of. 

No sooner was my determination known, than I was 
much blamed by many of my friends. They all, 1 am sen- 
sible, did it out of kindness to me, but they used arguments 
of difterent kinds. And though I was confirmed in my res- 
olutions by thereasoninsfs used to induce me to alter it ; yet 
were they at length made instrumental in bringing me to 
this important determination : " not to believe what any 
man said, as to take it upon his authority, but to search the 
word of God with this single intention, to discover whether 
the articles of the church of England in general, and this 



AN AUTHENTIC NARRATIVE, 345 

creed in particular, were, or were not agreeable thereto/^ 
I had studied the Scriptures in some measui^ before, for 
the sake of becoming acquainted with the original lan- 
guages, and in order to fetch thence detached texts to sup- 
port my own system — and I had a tolerable acquaintance 
with the historical and perceptive parts of them : but I had 
not searched this precious repository of divine knowledge, 
with the express design of discovering the truth in contro- 
verted matters of doctrine. I had very rarely been troubled 
with suspicions that I was, or might be mistaken : and now 
rather thought of becoming better qualified upon scriptural 
grounds to defend my determination, than of being led to 
any change of sentiments. 

However, I set about the inquiry ; and the first passage, 
as I remember, which made me suspect that I might be 
wrong, was James i. 5. " If any of you lack wisdom, let 
him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally, and up- 
braideth not, and it shall be given him/' On considering 
these words with some attention, I became conscious, that 
though I had thought myself wise, yet certainly I had ob- 
tained none of my wisdom in this manner ; for I had never 
offered one prayer to that effect in my life : and I also per>- 
ceived this text contained a suitable direction, and an en- 
couraging promise in my present inquiry : and from this 
time, in my poor manner, I began to ask God to give me 
this promised wisdom. 

Shortly atter 1 meditated upon, and preached from John 
vii. 16, 17. " My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent 
me ; if any man will do his will, he shall know of the doc- 
trine whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself/'' 
I was surprised that I had not before attended to such 
remarkable words. I discovered that they contained a 
direction aud a promise calculated to serve as a clue in 
extricating the sincere inquirer after truth from that laby- 
rinth of controversy wherein, at his first setting out, he is 
like to be bewildered. And though my mind was too much 
leavened with the pride of reasoning, as yet to reap that 
benefit from this precious text, which it is capable of afford- 
ing to the soul that is humbly willins: to be taught of God ; 
yet being conscious that I was willing to risk every thing 
in doing what I thought his will ; t was encouraged with 
the assurance, that if I were under a roistake, I should 
sometime discover it. 



344 THE FORCE OF TRUTH : 

I was further led to suspect that I might possibly be 
wrong, because I had not hitherto sought the truth in the 
proper manner, by attending to Proverbs iii. 5, 6. " Trust 
in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not to thine own 
understanding : in all thy ways acknowledge him, and he 
shall direct thy paths/' Evidently I had not hitherto trust- 
ed in the Lord with all my heart, nor acknowledged him in 
all my hvays, nor depended on his directions in all my 
paths ; but in my religious speculations, had leaned wholly 
to my own understanding. 

But though these passages, and some others, made for 
the present a great impression upon me, and influenced me 
to make it a part of my daily prayers, th-U I might be di- 
rected to a right understanding of the word of God ; yet 
my pride and addictedness to controversy had, as some^ 
desperate disease, infected my whole soul, and I was not to 
be cured all at once. I was far from being like a little 
child, sitting humbly and simply at the Lord's feet, to learn 
from him the very first rudiments of divine knowledge. I 
had yet no abiding suspicion, that all which I had hereto- 
fore accounted wisdom, w^as foolishness, and must be un- 
learned, and counted loss, before I could attain to the ex- 
cellency of the true kuoAvledge of Jesus Christ : for though 
I began to allow it probable, that in some few matters I 
might have been in an error, yet in the main I still was con- 
fident my scheme of doctrine was true. When I was press- 
ed with objections and arguments against any of my senti- 
ments, and when doubts began to arise in my mind, to put 
off the uneasiness thereby occasioned, my constant practice 
was to recollect as far as I could, all the reasonings and in- 
terpretations of Scripture on the other side of the question ; 
and when this failed of affording satisfaction, I had recourse 
to controversial writings. This drew me aside from the 
pure word of God, occasioned by being more remiss and 
formal in prayer, and furnished me with defensive armour 
against my convictions, with fuel for my passions, and food 
for my pride and self-sufficiency. 

At this time, " Locke's Reasonableness of Christianity,'' 
together with his " vindications of it," became my favour- 
ite piece of divinity. I studied this, and many other of Mr. 
Locke's works, with great attention, and a sort of bigoted 
fondness ; taking him almost implicitly for my master, 
adopting almost all his conclusions, borrowing many of his 
arguments, and being scarce able to endure such as would 



AN AUTHENTIC NARRATIVE. 34^ 

not agree with me in my partiality for him. This was of 
great disservice to rne,* as, instead of getting forward in my 
inquiry after truth, 1 was therefore furnished with more in- 
genious, and specious arguments, wherewith to defend my 
mistakes. 

But I read one book at this time, because mentioned with 
approbation by Mr. Locke, that was of singular use, namely, 
''' Bishop Burnet's Pastoral Care." Therein I found but 
little that offended my prejudices, and many things, which 
eame home to my conscience, respecting my ministerial 
obligations. A few short extracts I shall lay before the 
reader that were most affecting to my own mind. Page 
111, having mentioned the question proposed to those who 
are about to be ordained Deacons : ^' Do you trust that you 
are invv^ardly moved by the Holy Ghost to take upon you 
this office, to serve God, for promoting his glory, and the 
edifying of his people ?" He adds, " Certainly the an- 
swer that is made to this, ought to be well considered ; for 
if any one says, ' I trust so,' that yet knows nothing of any 
such motion, and can give no account of it, he lies to the 
Holy Ghost, and makes his first approach to the altar with 
a lie in his mouth, and that not to men, but to God.'' And 
again, p. 112, " Shall not he, (God,) reckon with those, 
>vho dare to run without his mission, pretending that they 
trust they have it, when perhaps they understand not the 
importance of it ; nay, and perhaps some laugh at it, as an 
enthusiastical question, who yet will go through with the 
office ! They come to Christ for the loaves ; they hope 
to live by the altar, and the gospel, how little soever they 
serve at the one or preach at the other ; therefore they 
will say any thing that is necessary for qualifying them to 
this, whether true or false." 

Again, page 122, having interwoven a great part of the 
excellent office of the ordination of priests, into his argu- 
ment concerning the importance of the work and weight of 
the ministry ; he adds, ^^ upon the whole matter, either 
this is all a piece of gross and impudent pageantry, dressed 

* After liaviiii; spoken so freely of Mr. Locke's divinity, which I once so 
highly esteemefj, it soems a piece of justice to acknowiecl-^e the very great 
obligations, which tiie whole reli«;ious world is under to this great man, for 
his Treatise on Toleration, and his answers to those who wrote against it. 
The {^rounds of religious liberty, and the reasons why every one should be 
left to hi* own choice, to worship God according to his conscience, were 
perhaps never generally understood since the foundation of the world ; im- 
tii by those publications Mr. Locke unaiisvver.ibly made them manifest. 



346 THE FORCE OF TRUTH ; 

up in grave and lofty expressions, to strike upon the weak- 
er part of mankind, and to furnish the rest with matter to 
their profane and impious scorn ; or it must be confessed 
that priests come under the most formal, and express en- 
gagements to constant and diligent labour that can be possi- 
bly contrived, or set forth in words." He concludes this 
subject of the ordination offices, with exhorting all candi- 
dates for orders to read them frequently, and attentively, 
during their season of preparation ; that they may be aware 
beforehand of the obligations they are about so solemnly to 
enter into ; and to peruse them at least four times in theT 
year, ever after their ordination to keep in their minds a, 
continual remembrance of their important engagements. 
How necessary this counsel is, every minister, or candidate 
for the ministry, must determine for themselves ; for my 
part, I had never read the office over once, when I was or- 
dained, and was in great measure a stranger to the obliga- 
tions I was about to enter into, until the very season ; nor 
did I ever afterwards attend thereto, till this advice put me 
upon it. The shameful negligence, and extreme absurdity 
of my conduct in this respect, are too glaring, not to be un- 
derstood, and applied by every one, who hath been guilty of 
a similar omission. I would therefore only just mention, 
that hearty, earnest prayer to God for his guidance, help, 
and blessing, may be suitably recommended as a proper at- 
tendant on such perusal of our obligations. 

Again, p. 147^ he thus speaks of a wicked clergyman : 
"" His whole life has been a course of hypocrisij in the strict- 
est sense of the word, which is the acting of a part, and the 
counterfeiting another person. His sins have in them all 
possible aggravations ; they are against knowledge and 
against vows, and contrary to his character : they carry in 
them a deliberate contempt of all the truths and obligations 
of religion ; and if he perishes, he doth not perish alone, 
but carries a shoal down with him, either of those who have 
perished in ignorance through his neglect, or of those who 
have been hardened in their sins through his ill example.'^ 
Again, p. 138, having copiously discoursed of the studies 
befitting ministers, especially the study of the Scriptures, he 
adds, " But to give all these their full effect, a priest that is 
much in his study, ought to employ a great part of his time 
in secret and fervent prayer, for the direction and blessing 
6{ God in his labours, for the constant assistance of his 
Holy Spirit, and faf a lively sens^ of divine matter? ; that 



AN AUTHENTIC NARRATIVE. 347' 

SO he may feel the impressions of them grow deep and 
strong upon his thoughts : thisj and this only, will make him 
go on with his work without wearying, and be always re- 
joicing in it/^ 

But the chief benefit which accrued to me from the pe- 
rusal of this l30ok, was this : I was excited by it to an at- 
tentive consideration of those scriptures which speak of the 
obligations and duties of a minister, and which hitherto I 
had not observed, or very loosely attended to. In particu- 
lar, it is yet fresh in my memory, that I was much affected 
with considering the charge of precious souls committed to 
me, and the awful account one day to be ren '.ered of them ; 
as this subject occurred to me in meditatmg on Ezekiel 
xxxiii. 7. 9. '' So thou, O son of man I I have set thee as a 
watchman unto the house of Israel : therefore thou shalt 
hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. 
When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt 
surely die : if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from 
his way, that wricked man shall die in his iniquity, but his 
blood Will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless, if thou 
warn the wicked of his way, to turn from it ; if he do not 
"turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity, but thou hast 
delivered thy soul.-' I wTts fully convinced with Bishop 
Burnet, that every minister is as much concerned in this 
solemn warning, as the prophet himself. Acts xx. 17 — o5, 
was another portion of scripture, which by means of this 
book was brought home to my conscience ; especially ver. 
26, 27? 28. which serve as an illustration of the foregoing 
Scripture : '- Wherefore I take you to record this day, that 
I am pure from the blood of all men, for I have not shunned 
to declfire unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed, 
therefore, unto yourselves, and to all the flock over which 
the Holy Ghost hatli made you overseers, to feed the 
church of God, which he hath purchased with his own 
blood.'' 

In short, at his instance I was put upon the attentive and 
repeated perusal of the Epistles to Timothy and Titus, as 
containing the sum of a minister's duty in all ages. I 
searched out, and carefully considered every text I could 
lind in the whole Scripture, which referred to this argument, 
I was greatly impressed by 1 Cor. ix. J 6. " For necessity 
is laid upon me : ye-i, wo is me, if I preach not the gospel. ^^ 
Nor was 1 less struck with Colossians iv. 17. " Say to Ar- 
i^ippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast recoiv- 



348 THE FOlldE OF TRUTH: 

ed of the Lord, that thou fulfil it." This wets brought to 
my conscience with power, as if the Apostle had in person 
spoken these words to me. But especially I was both in- 
structed and encouraged by meditating upon 1 Peter v. 2— 
4. " Feed the flock of God that is among you, taking the 
oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly ; not for 
filthy lucre, but of a ready mind, neither as being lords over 
God's heritage, but as examples to the flock ; and when the 
chief shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of 
glory, that fadeth not away.'' 

I hope the reader will excuse my prolixity in speaking on 
this subject ; because in itself it is very important ; and 
though I got no new views of gospel truth from this book, 
yet I received such a deep conviction of the difficulty and 
importance of that work, in which I had thoughtlessly en- 
gaged, and of the imminent danger my soul was exposed to, 
if I neglected to devote myself wholly thereto ; that therein 
was laid the foundation of all my subsequent conduct, and 
change of sentiment. Indeed I v» as guilty of very criminal 
procrastination, after I had been thus convinced ; and being 
engaged more than I ought in other matters, I postponed 
and neglected for a time, complying with the dictates of my 
conscience. But I never lost sight of the instruction I had 
received, nor ever had any comfortable reflection, until 
having broken ofl' all other engagements, I had given myself 
up to those studies and duties which pertain unto the work 
of the ministry. And I have cause to bless God, that this 
book ever came in my way. 

Still, however, my self-confidence was very little abated, 
and ray advance in the knowledge of the truth very smr.ll, 
i next read Tillotson's sermons, and Jorthi's works ; and my 
time being otherwise engaged, I gjlve into the iiulolent cus- 
tom of transcribing their discourses with some alterations, 
to preach to my people. This precluded free meditation 
on the word of God, and led me for a time to take up my 
opinions upon trust. My preaching was in general that 
smooth palatable mixture of law and gospel, which corrupts 
both : which, flattering the pride and prejudice, and sooth- 
ing the conscience, pleases the careless sinner, and self- 
righteous formalist ; but does real good to none. 

About this time I foolishly engaged in a course of diver- 
sion and visiting, more than I had done since my ordina- 
tion : this unfitted me for secret prayer and close medita- 
tioa, and rendered the Scriptures, and other religious studies, 



AN AUTHENTIC NARRATIVE. 34^ 

insipid and irksome to me, (a never-failing eonsequence of 
this vain compliance with the world.) For a time, there- 
fore, my ardour was damped, my anxiety banished, and 
my inquiries retarded. However, I was not permitted en-*^ 
tirely to drop my religious pursuits ; generally I made it a 
rule to read something in the Scriptures every day, and had 
a task of daily devotion ; but I was very formal and lifeless 
in both of them. 

Yet, not long after, I v/as engaged in earnest meditation 
on our Lord's discourse with Nicodemus, (John iii.) I felt 
an anxious desire to understand tliis interesting portion of 
Scripture ; especially to know what it was to be born again, 
or from above, and of the Spirit ; which in five verses our 
Saviour hath three times declared absolutely necessary to 
salvation. It was absurd to suppose that such strong ex- 
pressions implied no more than baptism with water. Tillot- 
son's controversial sermons on this subject, afforded me no 
satisfaction. Some great and total change I supposed to be 
intended, not only in the behaviour, but also in the heart. 
But having not yet clearly experienced that change, I could 
not understand wherein it consisted. However, having of- 
fered some poor prayers for divine teaching, I undertook to 
preach upon it ; but I talked very darkly, employed a con- 
siderable part of my time in declaiming against visionaries 
and enthusiasts, and reaped very little benefit from it. Yet 
I was so well satisfied with my performance, that in the 

course of my correspondence with Mr. , I sent him 

these sermons for his perusal ; who, in return, sent me some 
of his own upon the same subject. But though sincerely 
desirous to understand our Lord's meaning in this import- 
ant matter, I was too proud to be taught by him : I cast my 
eye, therefore, carelessly over some of them, and returned 
the manuscript without attending to any thing contained 
in it. 

Nothing material occurred after this, until the next spring, 
1776 ; wiien I was induced by what I had learned from 
Bishop Burnet, to establish a lecture once a week in one of 
my parishes, for expounding the Scriptures. This brought 
many passages which I had not observed, under attentive 
consideration, and afforded my reflecting mind abundance of 
employment, in attempting to reconcile them with each 
other, and with my scheme of doctrine. 

Little progress, however, kad been made, when in May, 
I77(>j I heard u dignified clergyman, in a visitation sermon, 

30 



^50 fKE FORCE OF TRUTH : 

re<!oinmend Mr. Soame Jennyns's " Treatise on the inter- 
nal evidences of Christianity.'' In consequence of this re- 
commendation, I perused it, and not unprofitably. T^e 
truth and importance of the gospel revelation appeared with 
convincing evidence to my understanding, and came with 
efficacy to my heart, by reading this book : thence I receiv- 
ed more distinct and heart affecting views of the design of 
God in this revelation of himself; and I was led to much 
serious reflection and earnest prayer, to be led to, or estab- 
lished in the truth concerning the nature and reality of the 
atonement by the death of Christ ; for hitherto I was a So- 
cinian, or very little better in this respect. 

But to counterbalance this advantage^ Dr. Clarke's Scrip- 
ture doctrine of the Trinity, and the controversy which en- 
sued upon its publication, became a favourite part of my 
study. The Arian scheme seems so inconsistent with rea- 
son, that when reflecting men, in order to avoid those mys- 
terious, and, as they imagine, unreasonable conclusions, 
which, according to the true meaning of words, th^ Scrip- 
tures contain, have been induced to become Arians ^ it is 
wonderful they do not, for the same cause, embrace the So- 
cinian system. This is the natural progress of unhumbled 
reason : from Arianism to Socinianism ; from Socinianisra 
to Deism ; and then to Atheism. Many and awful have 
been the examples of reasoning ; and learned men, who un- 
der the name of philosophers, arrogating to themselves the 
prerogative of superior discernment, Jaave manifested the 
propriety with which they claimed this pre-eminence, by 
treading this down-hill road, almost, if not quite, to the very 
bottom. 

But when a man has fallen so low as Socinianism, not 
merely for want of information, or by blindly and implicitly 
adopting the sentiments of other men ; but by leaning to his 
own understanding, and preferring the conclusions of his 
own reason, to the infallible dictates of the Holy Ghost ; it 
is not common for him to return gradually by the retrograde 
path, first to Arianism, and then to the received doctrine of 
the Trinity. Yet this was my case. Dr. Clarke appeared 
to me so undeniably to establish his argument, by express 
Scripture evidences, and so plausibly defended his system 
oa both hands, and backed his cause with so many seeming 
authorities, that on one side I found myself unable any 
longer to maintain my Socinian principles, but was con- 
strained to relinqmsh them as untenable ; and on the other 



AN AUTHENTIC NARRATIVE. 351 

1 was not aware of the flaw in his reasoningj and the un- 
avoidable consequence of his middle doctrine ; namely, that 
the Son, and Holy Ghost, however exalted, or dignified with 
names and titles, must either be mere creatures^ or that oth- 
erwise there must be three Gods. Not perceiving this, and 
my newly acquired reverence for Scripture, and my old self- 
confidence and fondness for reasoning, being, by this con- 
ciliating scheme, both humoured, I cordially acceded to his 
sentiments, and for a long time could not endure any other 
doctrine. 

Nothing further of any consequence occurred till about 
December, 1776, when '^ Mr. Lav/'s Serious Call," a book 
I had hitherto treated with contempt, was carelessly taken 
up by me. But 1 had no sooner opened it, than I was 
struck with the originality of the w^ork, and the spirit and 
force of argument wherev/ith it is written. This I speak 
merely as to his management of the subjects he treats of; 
for there are many things in it,^that I am far from approv- 
ing ; and to be sure it contains as little gospel, as any book 
of religion I am acquainted with. But though a very un- 
comfortable book for a person who is duly brought under a 
serious concern for his soul : yet 'tis very useful to prepare 
the way, to show the need which we have of a Saviour, and 
to enforce the practice of that holy diligence in the use of 
means, which the important interests of eternity reasonably 
demand. This was its use to me. By the perusal of it, I 
was convinced, that I was guilty of great remissness and 
negligence ; that the duties of secret devotion called for far 
more of my time and attention than had been hitherto al- 
lotted to them ; that if I hoped to save my own soul, and 
the souls of those that heard me, I must in this respect 
greatly alter my conduct, and increase my diligence in seek- 
ing and serving the Lord. From that time I began to study 
in what manner my devotions might be rendered more fer- 
vent and pertinent ; I transcribed and laid up in my memo- 
ry, scripture petitions : I employed some time in reading 
manuals of devotion, made attempts to compose prayers my- 
self, and became more frequent and earnest, and I trust 
more spiritual than heretofore, in my secret addresses to 
the Majesty of Heaven. 

About this time, after many delays, I complied with tlic 
admonitions of my conscience, and disengaged myself from 
all my other employments, with a solemn resolution of leav- 
ing all my temporal concerns in tin) hands of t)ie Lord, and 



"J^S TflE FORCE OF TRUTH : 

of entirely devoting myself to the work of the muiistr} . 
Being thus become master of all my time, I dropped every 
other study, and turned the whole current of my reflections, 
inquiriesj and reading into another channel, and thenceforth 
scarce opened a book, which treated of an}^ thing besides 
religion. 

The first step I took after this disengagement, was to keep 
common-place books ; one I had for noting down remarka- 
ble passages out of other authors ; and another for collect- 
ing into one view, every text I could meet with in Scripture, 
respecting the most important and controverted doctrines 
of the gospel. Though I held this but a little time ; (for 
when my engagements multiplied, I dropt it ; yet I found it 
xery useful, in bringing me acquainted with many passages 
of the word of God, to which 1 had not hitherto much at- 
tended ; and it prepared the way for penning my sermons, 
on doctrinal subjects, w^ith the scripture testimonies con- 
cerning the point in hand, in one view before me. 

in January, 1777? I ruet with a very high commendation 
of Mr. Hooker's works, with the honourable distinction of 
judicious bestowed upoQ^ him. This excited my curiosity 
to read his book, which accordingly I did with great profit. 
In his discourse upon justification, page 496, folio edition, 
printed l682, I met with the following remarkable passage, 
which, as well for its excellency, as for the efiect thereof 
upon my religious views, I shall, though somewhat long, 
transcribe. " If our hands did never ofler violence to our 
brethren, a bloody thought doth prove us murderers before 
him. If we had never opened our mouth to utter any scan- 
dalous, offensive, or hurtful word, the cry of our secret cog- 
itations is heard in the ears of God. If we did not commit 
the sins, which daily and hourly, in deed, word, or 
thoughts, we do commit ; yet in the good things which we 
do, how many defects are there intermingled ! God, in 
that which is done, respecteth the mind, and intention of 
the doer : — cut off then all those things, wherein we have 
regarded our own glory, those things which men do to 
please men, and to satisfy our own liking, those things which 
we do for any by respect, not sincerely, and purely for the 
love of God ; and a small score will serve for the number of 
our righteous deeds. Let the holiest, and best things, which 
we do, be considered : we are never better affected unto 
God, than when we pray ; yet when we pray, how are our 
affections many times distracted ! how little reverence do 



AN AUTHENTIC NARRATIVE. S^S 

we show unto the grand Majesty of Heaven unto whom we 
«peak ! how little remorse of our own miseries I how little 
taste of the sweet influences of his tender mercies do we 
feel 1 Are we not as unwilling many times to beginj and 
as glad to make an end, as if in saying, " Call upon me," 
he had set us a very burthensome task ? It may seem some- 
what extreme, which I will speak ; therefore let every one 
judge of it, even as his own heart shall tell him, and no 
otherwise. I will but only make a demand ! if God should 
yield unto us, not as unto Abraham ; if fifty, forty, thirty, 
twenty, yea, or if ten good persons could be found in a 
city, for their sakes the city should not be destroyed : but, 
and if he should make us an offer thus large : Search all the 
generations of men, since the fall of our father Adam ; find 
one man, that hath done one action, which hath passed from 
him pure without any stain or blemish at all ; and for that 
one man's only action, neither men nor angels shall feel the 
torments which are prepared for both. Do you think that 
this ransom to deliver men and angels could be found 
among the sons of men ? The best things, which Ave do, 
have somewhat in them to be pardoned ; how then can 
we do any thing meritorious, or worthy to be rewarded ? 
Indeed, God liberally promiseth whatsoever appertaineth 
to a blessed life to as many as sincerely keep his law, 
though they be not exactly able to do it. Wherefore we 
acknowledge a dutiful necessity of doing well, but the meri- 
torious dignity of doing well, we utterly renounce. We seo 
how far we are from the perfect righteousness of the law ; 
the little fruit, which we have in holiness, it is, God know- 
eth, corrupt, and unsound ; we put no confidence at all 
in it ; we challenge nothing in the world for it ; we dare 
not call God to reckoning, as if we had him in our debt 
books. Our continual suit to him is, and must be^ to bear 
with our infirmites, and pardon our offences.*' 

I had no sooner read this passage, than I acquired such an 
insight into the strictness and spirituality of the divine law, 
and the perfection which a just and holy God, according to 
that law, cemnot but require in all the services of his reason- 
able creatures ; that I clearly perceived my very best duties 
on which my main dependence had hitherto been placed, to 
be mere specious sins ; and my whole life appeared to be 
tne continued series of transgressions. I now understood 
the apostle's meaning when he affirms, " That by the works 
of the Jaw can no flesh be justified before God." All my 

30* 



354 THE FORCE OF TRVTU. 

diflicultios in this matter vanished ; all my distinctions and 
reasonings about the meaning of the words law and justifi- 
cation, and all my borrowed criticisms about them, failed 
me at once. I could no longer be thus amused ; for I was 
convinced, beyond the possibility of a doubt, that all men 
were so notoriously transgressors of every law of God, that 
they none of them could be justified in his sight, according 
to any law ; I was sensible that if God should only call me 
into judgment before him, according to the strictness of his 
perfect law, for the best duty I ever performed I must be 
condemned as a transgressor ; when weighed in these ex- 
act balances, it would be found wanting. Thus was I effec- 
tually convinced, that if ever I were saved, it must be in 
some way of unmerited mercy and grace, though I under- 
stood not clearly in what way, tiU long after. Immediately, 
therefore, I took for my text, Galatians iii. 22. — " But the 
Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise that 
is by faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to them that be- 
lieve ;'' and preached from it according to Hooker's doc- 
trine ; expressing, as strongly as I could, the defilements, 
of our best action, and our need of mercy in every thing we 
did ; in order the more evidently to show that salvation 
was of grace, through faith, not of works, lest any man 
should boast. However, I had not yet attained unto the 
knowledge of the foulness of that fountain whence all these 
polluted streams flow forth so plentifully into our lives and 
conversations. 

I was not then able to receive the following nervous 
passage concerning justification, (p. 495.) " But the right- 
eousness, wherein we must be found, if we will be justified, 
is not our own ; therefore, we cannot be justified by any 
inherent quality : Christ hath merited righteousness for as 
many as are found in him. In him God findeth us if we be 
faithful ; for by faith we are incorporated into Christ. 
Then, although in ourselves we be altogether sinful and un- 
righteous, yet even the man who is impious in himself, full 
of iniquity, full of sin ; him being found in Christ through 
iaith, and having his sin remitted through repentance ; him 
God upholdeth with a gracious eye, putteth away his sin by 
not imputing it ; taketh quite away the punishment due 
thereunto by pardoning it ; and accepteth him in Jesus 
Christ as perfectly righteous, as if he had fulfilled all that 
was commanded him in the law. Shall I say more perfect- 
ly righteotis, than if himself had fulfilled the whole law i 



AN AUTHENTIC NARRATIVE. 255 

I must take heed what I say ; but the apostle saith, '' God 
made him to he sin for us^ who knew no sin^ that we might 
be made the righteousness of God in him,^^ Such are we 
in the sight of God the Father, as is the very Son of God 
himself. Let it be counted folly, or frenzy, or fury, what- 
soever ; it is our comfort and our wisdom ; we care for no 
knowledge in the world but this, that man hath sinned, and 
God hath suffered ; that God hath made himself the Son 
of man, and that men are made the righteousness of God.'' 

Equally determinate and expressive is what he says, p. 
500. " As for such as hold with the church of Rome, that 
we cannot be saved by Christ alone without works, they do 
nx)t only by a circle of consequence, but directly deny the 
foundation of faith ; they hold it not : no, not so much as 
by a single thread.'' If the judicious Mr. Hooker's judg- 
ment may, in this important concern, be depended on, as I 
suppose it will not easily be proved erroneous, I fear the 
foundation of faith is only held by a small part of that 
church which has honoured her champion with this distinc- 
tion. 

Page 508 and 509, he thus defends his doctrine against 
the objections of the Papists, (for at that time none but the 
Papists objected to it,) " It is a childish cavil, wherewith, 
in the matter of justification, our adversaries do so greatly 
please themselves, exclaiming that we tread all Christian 
virtues under our feet, and require nothing of Christians 
but faith ; because we teach that faith alone justifieth. 
Whereas, by this speech we never meant to exclude either 
hope or charity from being always joined as inseparable 
mates with faith, in the man that is justified ; or works 
from being added as necessary duties required at the hands 
of every justified man ; — but to show that faith is the only 
hand which putteth on Christ unto justification ; and 
Christ the only garment, which being so put on, covereth 
the shame of our defiled natures — hideth the imperfection 
of our works — preserveth us blameless in the sight of God ; 
before whom, otherwise, the weakness of our faith were 
cause sufficient to make us culpable, yea, to shut us from 
the kingdom of heaven, where nothing that is not absolute 
can enter." 

Had I at this time met with Such passages in the writings 
of the Dissenters, or any of those modern publications, 
which under the brandofmethodistical, are condemned with- 
out reading, or perused with invincible prejudice, J should 



3t>6 THE FORCE O^ TRUTH : 

not have thought thon worth regard, hut should have reject- 
ed them as wild enthusiasm. But I knew that Hooker was 
deemed perfectly orthodox^ and a standard writer, by the 
prelates of the church in his own days. I learned from his 
dispute with Mr. Travers, that he was put upon his defence, 
for making concessions in this matter to tha church of 
Kome, which the zealous Protestants did not think war- 
rantable ; that he was judged by the more rigid, too lax in 
his doctrines ; by none too rigid. I had never heard that 
it had been insinuated, that he was tinctured with enthusi- 
asm ; and the solidity of his judgment, and acuteness of 
his reasoning faculties, needed no voucher to the attentive 
reader. His opinion therefore carried great weight with it ; 
made me suspect the truth of my former sentiments, and 
put me upon serious inquiries, and deep meditation upon 
this subject, accompanied with earnest prayers for the 
teaching and direction of the Lord therein. The result 
was, that after many objections, and doubts, and much ex- 
amination of the word of God, in a few months I began to 
accede to Mr. Hooker's sentiments. And at the present 
my opinion in this respect, as far as I know, coincides with 
these passages of this eminent author, and is supported and 
vindicated with the same arguments ; he therefore, who 
would prove our doctrines of justification by faith alone to 
be an error, will do well to answer in the first place these 
quotations from Mr. Hooker. 

And indeed as far as I can understand him, there is scarce 
any doctrine, which, with no inconsiderable offence, I now 
preach, that is not as evidently contained in his writings, as 
my sermons. Witness particularly his " Discourse of the 
certainty, and perpetuity of faith in the elect," in which the 
doctrine of the final perseverance of true believers, as far as 
seems worth contending for, is expressly taught and main- 
tained : And he closes it with this noble triumph of full as-- 
surance, as re>idting from that comfortable doctrine in the 
hearts of confirmed and experienced Christians : (pag« 
532,) " I know in whom I have believed ; I am not igno-^ 
rant whose precious blood has been shed for me ; I have St 
shepherd full of kindness, full of care, full of power ; unto 
him I commit myself. His own finger hath engraven this 
sentence in the tablets of my heart, Satan hath desired to 
winnow thee '!s wheatyhut I hace prayed that thy faith fail 
not ; therefore the assurance of my hope I wiH labour to 
keep as a jewel unto the end, and by labour through the 



AN AFTHE^'TIC NARRATIVE^ 35/ 

gracious mediation of his prayers, I shall keep it.'^ With 
such words in his mouth, and such assurances in my heart, 
I wish to live, and hope to die. 

The insertion of these quotations from this old author, I 
hope will need no apology ; many have not his works, and 
these extracts arc worthy of their perusal ; others, for these 
specimens, may be prevailed on to read, what perhaps had' 
hitherto been an unnoticed book in their studies. Especially 
I recommend to those who admire him as the champion of 
their external order and discipline of the church, and such 
as willingly allow him the honour of being distinguished by 
the epithet Judicious; that they would attentively read 
and impartially consider his doctrine. This would put an 
effectual stop to those declamations, that either ignorantly 
or maliciously are made against those very doctrines as 
novel inventions, which have just now been explained and 
defended, in Mr. Hookers own, words. For my own part, 
though I acknowledge that he advances many things I 
should be unwilling to subscribe to : yet I heartily bless 
God, that at this time I read him ; the first material altera- 
tion that took place in my views of the gospel, being in con- 
sequence thereof. 

One more quotation I shall produce, and so take my leave 
of him ; (page 552,) addressing himself unto the pastors, 
v/ho are appointed to feed the chosen in Israel, he says, " If 
there be any feeling of Christ, any drop of heavenly dew, 
any spark of God's good Spirit within you, stir it up ; be 
careful to build and edify, first yourselves, and then your 
flocks, in his most holy faith. I say, first yourselves ; for 
he, which will set the hearts of other men on fire, with the 
love of Christ, must himself burn with love. It is want of 
faith in ourselves, my brethren, which makes us watchless, 
(careless,) in building others. We forsake the Lord's in- 
heritance, and feed it not. What is the reason of this ? 
Our own desires are settled where they should not be. We 
ourselves are like those women, which have a longing to 
eat coals and linie, and filth ; we are fed, some with honour, 
some with ease, some with wealth. The gospel waxeth 
loathsome, and unpleasant in our taste. How should we 
then have a care to feed others with that we cannot fancy 
ourselves ? If faith wax cold and slender in the heart of the 
prophet, it will soon perish from the ears of the people." 
'Tis not needful to add any reflections upon this passage, 
every one will readily make them for himself; we- are how- 



358 THE FOTiCi OF TRUTH; 

ever reminded thereby of Solomon's words, (Eccl. i. 9? lOl) 
"There is no new thing under the sun ; is there any thing 
whereof it may be said, see this is new? It hath been al- 
ready of old time which was before us.'. (Eccl. iii. 15.) — 
" That which hath been, is now, and that which is to be hath 
already been.'' 

To my shame be it spoken, though I had twice subscrib- 
ed the articles which allow the book of Homilies to be sound 
and wholesome doctrine, I had never yet seen them, and 
understood not what that doctrine was. But now, being 
engaged in a serious inquiry after truth, and Hooker's works 
having given me a more favourable opinion of these old au- 
thorsj I was inclined to examine them ; and read part of 
the book with some degree of attention. And though ma- 
ny things seemed hard sayings, that I could not receive ; 
yet many others were made very usefid to me, especially 
concerning justification. In short, I perceived that that doc- 
trine, which I had hitherto despised as methodistical. was 
the standard doctrine of the established church, when that 
book was composed ; and consequently that it was so still : 
for that book has lost none of its authority, though much 
of its esteem with those, who subscribe the thirty-nine arti- 
cles. This weakened my prejudice, though it did not prove 
the doctrine true. 

About this time a new and unexpected effect was produced 
by my preaching. I had hitherto been satisfied to see people 
regularly frequent the church, listen attentively to what was 
discoursed, and lead moral decent lives. The way in which 
I had been led was so smooth, and the progress I had made 
so gradual ; I had lately so little experienced distressing con- 
cern for my own soul, and had so little acquaintance with 
persons conversant with these matters ; and though I de- 
clared the strictness, and spirituality, and sanction of the 
law of God in an alarming manner, yet it never occurred to 
me but that they who profited thereby, would proceed in 
the same easy gradual way. But I had scarce begun this 
new method of preaching, when application was made to 
me by persons in great distress about their souls ; their con- 
sciences being awakened to a sense of their lost condition 
by nature and practice, they were anxious in inquiring, 
what they must do to be saved ? I knew not'well what to 
say to them, my views being very clouded, and my senti- 
ments very perplexed concerning justification ; but being 
willing to give them the best counsel I could, I exhorted 



AN AUTHENTIC NARRATIVE,. 35^ 

them to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, though I was nei- 
ther capable of instructing them concerning the true nature 
of faith, nor in what manner they were to seek for it. How- 
ever, I better understood my own meaning, when I advised 
them to the study of the Scriptures, accompanied with 
prayer to God, to be led to the right understanding of them; 
and when I inculcated amendment of life. In this manner 
the Lord slowly brought them forwards ; and though, for 
want of a better instructor, they were a considerable time 
before they arrived at establishment in the faith^ yet some 
of them having their minds less leavened with prejudice 
and the pride of reasoning, were more apt scholars in the 
school of Christ than I was, and got the start of me in the 
knowledge both of doctrine and duty: and in their turns 
became, though without intending it, in some things my 
monitors, to my no small advantage. 

This singular circumstance of being the instrument of a 
work of grace in others, whilst I myself so little understood 
the true gospel of Jesus Christ, very much increased my 
perplexity. I became doubly earnest to know the truth, 
lest I should mislead those who confided their precious 
souls to me, as their spiritual instructor. This added to my 
diligence in reading and meditating on the word of God ; 
and made me more earnest in prayer, to be guided to the 
knowledge of the truth. And under every difficulty I con- 
stantly had recourse unto the Lord, to preserve me from ig- 
norance and error., and to enable me to distinguish between 
the doctrines of his word, and the inventions and traditions 
of men. 

At this time I established a weekly lecture for expound- 
ing Scripture in my other parish, which occasioned my fur- 
ther acquaintance with the various parts of the word of 
God, It was my general practice in penning these lectures, 
to search out all the Scriptures referred to in the margin, 
and all others I could recollect upon the subject, and to 
make use of them in explaining each other. This method 
enabled me to store my memory with texts of Scripture, and 
made way for a greater exactness in discussing doctrinal 
subjects than I had hitherto been acquainted with. 

In the course of this winter, 1777 j I was engaged in deep 
meditation upon Lukexi. 9. 13 ; concerning the Holy Spi- 
rit being given in answer to prayer. And, at length, having 
made a collection of all the Scriptures I could meet with 
which respected that important dpctriue, and having dili- 



360 THE FORCE OF TRUTH: 

gently compared them together, and meditated upoa tliem. 
and besought the Lord to fulfil the promise to my soul, 1 
wrote two sermons upon the subject : one from Luke xi. 
13. — " If ye then being evil know how to give good gifts 
unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly 
Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him." The 
other from James i. 16, 17. — " Do not err my beloved 
brethren, every good gift, and every perfect gift is from 
above, and cometh down from the Father of Lights.'^ By 
this my views of a Christian's privileges and duties in this 
respect, were much enlarged, and my requests were made 
known unto the Lord in a more full, exact, and believing 
manner, than heretofore. Though much in the dark in 
many important matters respecting the person, offices, and 
work of the Holy Ghost ; yet I had discovered more of 
what was promised concerning him, and therefore knew 
better what to ask for. 

My obligations to Bishop Beveridge are r-ext to be ac^ 
knowledged. When I first began to peruse his sermons, I 
conceived a mean opinion of him, and it was some time be- 
fore I could prevail with myself to examine any further into 
his writings ; but being now further advanced in my inquiry 
after truth, those singularities which first offended me be- 
came tolerable, and I began to relish the simplicity, spiritu- 
ality, and love of Christ, and affection for souls, which emi- 
nently shine forth in many places of his works. Indeed, I 
received considerable instruction from him ; but especially 
his sermon on the real satisfaction made by the death of 
C!hrist for the sins of believers, was the blessed means of 
clearing up my views, and confirming my faith respecting 
that fundamental doctrine of Christianity. On Good Fri- 
day, 1777^ I preached a sermon upon that subject, from 
Isaiah liii. 6. " All we like sheep have gone astray : — -we 
have turned every one to his own way? and the Lor^ hath 
laid, (hath caused to light,) on him the iniquities of us all.'' 
Wherein I endeavoured to prove that which hath over since 
been the sole foundation of all my hopes ; namely, that 
Christ indeed bare the sins of all who should ever truly be- 
lieve, in all their guilt, condemnation, and deserved punish- 
ment, in his body on the tree. And I explicitly avowed my 
belief, that Clirist, as our surety and bonds-man, stood in our 
law-place, to answer all our obligations, and to satisfy aivinO 
justice, and the demands of the law for our offences; and I 
publicly renounced, as erroneous and grievous perversions 



AN AUTHENTIC NARRATIVE. SSi 

t^r Scripture, all my former explanations and interpretations 
of these subjects. 

This was the first doctrine in which I was clearly and 
fully brought to acknowledge the truth, though I had with 
no little earnestness for two years been enquiring about it ; 
to so astonishing a degree was my blinded understanding 
filled with prejudice against the doctrines of the word of 
God ! — hitherto they had been foolishness to me, but now^ 
under the divine teaching, I began, though very dimly, to 
discern the wisdom of God in them. 

I say dimly, for I was still under many and great mis- 
takes, and in much igilorance la the most important matters, 
I knew sin to be a transgression of God's law ; but I did 
not see its odious deformity, in being deliberate rebellion 
against God's sovereign authority, and an express contra- 
diction to his holy nature : in charging God foolishly, as 
either wanting wisdom or goodness in laying Such restraints 
upon the inclinations of his creatures : and as tending to 
overturn all subordination in the universe, and to introduce 
anarchy, confusion, and misery, into the whole creation of 
God. My own best actions I perceived to be defiled ; but 
I understood not that this was the effect of a depraved na- 
ture, and a polluted heart. The doctrine of original sin, as 
the fruitful root of these multiplied evils, was not yet a part 
of my creed. Inconsistently I was an Arian or a Clarkist in 
my sentiments concerning the person of Christ, and the di- 
vinity of the Holy Ghost. Some faint conception I had 
formed of that sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in the 
soul ; the beginnings of it I little understood. And I con- 
tinued to entertain an implacable enmity to the doctrine of 
election, and those connected with it. But my faith was 
now fixed upon a crucified Saviour ; (though I dishonoured 
his porson and denied his deity,) and I had a sincere desire 
of being devoted to the Lord. He, therefore, in mercy, ac- 
cepted his own v/ork in my heart, and pardoned all that was 
mine, and at length extricated mo out of that labyrinth of 
difficulties in which I was entangled. 

About this time, in the course of my lectures, our Lord's 
discourse with Nicodcmus came again under my considera- 
tion. Notwithstanding much meditation and many prayers, 
I could nqt satisfy my mind about it. I was convinced 
some internal change must be implied in the expressions, 
being born from above, and being born of the Spirit ; and 
according to what I had experienced, I endeavoured to cx- 

31 



362 THE FORCE OF TRUTH : 

plain it ; but I was much in the dark, and had many doubts 
whether I was right or wrong. 

Hitherto, excepting " Lehmd on the Deistical Writers/'' 
I had not read any book written by a dissenter, with the 
least degree of candour and attention ; but at this crisis I 
met with the first volume of Dr. Evans's sermons, entitled 
^' The Christian Temper.^' I w as induced to read it by the 
recommendation of a friend ; but such was my proud, fool- 
ish heart, that I opened.it with great prejudice, because I 
understood the author was a dissenter. Ilowcver, tliis 
book came with a blessing ; for by perusing it, I at length 
perceived, that fallen man, both body and soul, is indeed 
carnal, and sold under sin ; that by nature, in every man 
living, the reasonable and immortal part is destitute of spi- 
rituality, immersed in matter, and by a dishonourable and 
miserable prostitution, is given up to make provision for the 
flesh to fulfil the lust thereof: and that man must be renew- 
ed in the spirit of his mind, new created unto good w^orks, 
born of the Spirit of God, made partaker of a new and di- 
vine nature, before he can possibly be made meet for, or 
admitted into the kingdom of God. In a very little time all 
my difficulties about this matter vanished, and the truth be- 
came so exceedingly plain and evident, that until I had 
made the experiment, I could scarce be persuaded, but that 
every person who heard it rightly explained, must assent to 
it. This doctrine I have ever since invariably preached 
■with good efiect, I trust, in opening the eyes of sinners, 
and turning them from darkness unto light, and from the 
power of Satan unto God. (Acts xxvi. 28,) 

iVbout this time my acquaintance with Mr. , was re- 
sumed. From the conclusion of our correspondence in 
December, 1775, till April, 1777? it had been almost wholly 
dropped. To speak plainly, I did not care for his compa- 
ny ; I did not mean to make any use of him as an instruct- 
or, and was unwilling the world should think us any ways 
connected. But under discouraging circumstances I heid 
occasion to call upon him ; and his discourse comforted and 
edified me, and my heart being, by this means relieved from 
its burden, became susceptible of affection to him. From 
that time I was inwardly pleased to have him for my friend ; 
though, not as now, rejoiced to call him so. However, I 
had no thoughts of learning doctrinal truth from him, and 
was ashamed to be detected in his company ; but I some- 
times stole away to spend an hour with him. About the 



AN AUTHENTIC NARRATIVE. S6^ 

smne time I once heard him preach, but it was still foolisli- 
ness to m0j his sermon being much upon the believer's ex- 
perience ; andj therefore^ though I loved and Vcdued him, I 
considered him as a person misled by enthusiastical notions, 
and strenuously insisted that we should never think alike, 
till we met in heaven. 

Ail along, in the progress of this inquiry, I grew more 
and more concerned about my character ; T saw myself con- 
tinually verging nearer and nearer to that scheme of doc- 
trine which the v/orld called Melhodisjn : nor could I help 
it, without doing violence to my convictions. I had indeed 
set out with the avowed, and I trust sincere resolution of 
seeking for the truth, as impartially as possible ; and of em- 
bracing it wherever I found it, without respect to interest, 
reputation, or any worldly consideration whatsoever : I had 
taken patiently and supported comfortably, the loss of my 
opening prospect of preferment, I trust mainly from the 
supports of grace, and the consciousness of having acted 
witli integrity ; but I am not sure, but there might there- 
with creep in some consolation to ray di^ceitful heart, from 
a vain imagination that my character would be no loser. 
Ambitious thirst after the praise of men was much more my 
peculiar corruption, than covetousness ; and I had been in 
no ordinary degree proud of my natural understanding; 
the people called Methodists I had been accustomed to hear 
mentioned with contempt as very silly, as fools, and some- 
times as machricn ; with no small degree of complacency, 
and self-preference, I too had despised them, as weak en- 
thusiasts. But I now began to be apprehensive, that the ta- 
bles were about to be turned upon me ; if I professed and 
tT)ached these doctrines, I must no longer be considered as 
a man of sober understanding, but one of those persons, 
whose heads being naturally weak, liad been turned b}^ re- 
ligious studies ; and who, having fallen under tlie power of 
enthusiasm, are become no better than fools. 

This was the sharpest tri(d I passed through, having not 
yet learned, that, '' when we arc reproached for the name 
of (]]n'ist, happy are we.'' Nor did 1 remember that the 
Apostles were fools for Christ's sake, were deemed to be 
beside themselves ; went through evil report, and good re- 
])ort, as deceivers, and yet true ; tbnt they were every 
where spoken against, as the fellows that turmul the world 
upside down ; wet^c treated as vain babblers, and account- 
ed t)ie fdth of tlie v.orld, and the offscouring of all things. 



364 THE FORCE OP TRUTH : 

1 did not consider that Jesus himself, the brightness of the 
Father's glory, the Word and Wisdom of God, who went 
about doing good, and spake as never man spake, was not 
only rejected but despised as not worth hearing, as one that 
had a devil, as in league with the devil, as a blasphemer, a 
Samaritan, a madman, a devil himself. I read indeed, 
lut my understanding was not yet opened to understand 
such plain scriptures as these, (John xv. 19? 20 ;) " If ye 
were of the world, the world would love his own ; but be- 
cause 3^e are not of the world, but 1 have chosen you out of 
the world ; * therefore the world hateth you. Remember 
the word that I said unto 3^011 : the servant is not greater 
than tlie Lord ; if they have persecuted me, they will also 
persecute 3^ou.'' And Matt. x. 24, 25. " The disciple is 
not above his master, nor the servant above his Lord. If 
they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how 
Kiuch more shall they call them of the household ?'' And 
Matt. V. 11, 12.—^^ Blessed are ^^e, when men shall revile 
you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil agahist 
you falseh' for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad, 
ibr great is your reward in heaven ; for so persecuted they 
the prophets, that were before ^^ou.'' Not being aware of 
these consequences, when my resolution was first formed, I 
was as one, who hath begun to build without counting the cost, 
and was greatly disturbed, when I saw the favourite idol of 
my proud heart, my character, in such imminent danger. 

It must be supposed this would make me cautious what 
doctrines I admitted into my creed ; and unwilling to be 
convinced, that those things were true and important, the 
profession of which was sure to bring infamy on my cha- 
racter ; and that even after the fullest conviction, I should 
thereby be rendered very careful in what manner I preach- 
ed them. In general, however, though the conflict was 
sharp, I was enabled to be faithful. The words, " necessi- 
ty is laid upon me, vea, wo is me, if I preach not the gos- 
pel," were commonly upon my mind when I penned my 
sermons, and when I entered the pulpit : and though when 
a bold declaration of what I believed to be the truth, with 
an offensive application of it to the consciences of my hear- 
ers, drew opposition and calumny upon me, 1 have secretly 
resolved to be more circumspect the next time ; yet when 
that time came, my heart and conscience being both engag- 
ed, I have not dared to conceal one tittle of what appeared 
to me to be true, and Xq promise usefulness. But \yhilst 



AN AUTHENTIC NARRATIVE. 365 

with perturbation of mind, and with many disquieting ap- 
prehensions, I declared the message with which I supposed 
myself to be intrusted ; to screen myself from the charge of 
Methodism, and to soften the offence, I was frequently 
throwing out slighting expressions, and bringing the charge 
of enthusiasm against those who preached such doctrines as 
I was not yet convinced of. On the other hand, my con- 
cern about niy character quickened me very much in pray- 
er, and increased my diligence in searching the Scriptures, 
that I might be sure I was not, at this expense, preaching 
cunningly devised fables, instead of feeding the souls com- 
mitted to my care, with the unadulterated milk of gospel 
truth. 

In this state of my mind, which is easier understood by 
experience than description, I met with Mr. Venn's Essay 
on the Prophecy of Zecharias. I was no stranger to the 
character he bore in the eye of the world, and did not begin 
to read his book with great alacrity or expectation ; how- 
ever, the importance of the subjects therein treated of en- 
gaged my attention, and some degree of impartiality as I 
proceeded. I disapproved indeed, and quarelled with 
many things ; but others evidenced their truth and impor- 
tance to my understanding and conscience; especially I 
found a word in season, respecting my weak and wicked 
shame and attention to character, in inquiring after divine 
truth, and in the performance of the important duties of a 
gospel minister. These solemn words in particular went 
home to my heart. '' If the spirit of the world, pride, care- 
lessness respecting the soul, and the neglect of Christ, be 
not hateful to God, and destructive to men, the gospel, 
(with reverence I speak it) is an imposition. Do you abhor 
that thought as blasphemy ? Abhor as much a fawning up- 
on Christ from year to year in your closet, calling him 
there your Lord and your God : and then coming out to 
consult the world, how far they will allow you to obey his 
plain commands, without saying you are a Methodist ? 
Cease rather to profess any allegiance to Christ, than treat 
him, under professions of duty, with such contempt. I 
would, saith he to the Church of Laodicea thou wert cold or 
hot, so then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold or 
hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth/' Rev. iii. 15, l6. 

I should as easily be convinced that there was no Holy 
Ghost, as that he was not present with my soul when I read 
this passage, and the whole oi' what Mr. Venn has written 

31* 



S66 THE FORCE OF TRUTH : 

upon the subject. It came to my heart with such power, 
convictionj and demonstration of the Spirit^ that it lifted 
me up above the world, and produced that victory w hich 
faith alone can give ; and that liberty which uniformly at- 
tends the presence of ihe Spirit of the Lord. I became at 
once ashamed of my base ingratitude and foolish fears ; and 
was filled with such consolation, and rejoicing even in the 
prospect of sacrificing my character, and running the risk 
of infamy and contempt, as made me entirely satisfied on 
that head ; and some few unbelieving seasons excepted, I 
have ever since been very little troubled about being ac- 
counted an Enthusiast, or a Methodist. 

But still I remained as much, and am now more afraid of 
enthusiasm itself, than ever ; and the nearer I verged to 
whpit I had ignorantly supposed to be -enthusiasm, the more 
apprehensive I became, lest my earnestness in suchinteres- 
ting inquiries, and the warmth of my natural spirit thus oc- 
casionally increased, should put me off m}^ guard, and be- 
tray me into delusions and mistakes. — From this dagger I 
could obtain no securit}' , but by keeping close to the study 
of the word of God ; and by being earnest and particular 
in praying to be preserved from enthusiasm, and to be ena- 
bled to distinguish between the pure revelations of the Ho* 
ly Spirit, and the inventions of men, or the delusions of the 
spirit of lies. 

The doctrine of the trinity of co-equal persons in the 
Unity of the Godhead, had been hitherto no part of my 
creed. I had long been accustomed to despise this great 
mystery of godliness : I had quarrelled with the articles of 
the established church about this doctrine : I had been very 
positive and open in my declarations against it ; and my 
unhumbled reason still retained objections to it. But about 
June, 1777? I began to be troubled with doubts about it, 
and to suspect the truth of Dr. Clarke's hypothesis. I had 
just read Mr. Lindsey's Apology and Sequel. Before I saw 
them, I had made a jes-t of those who thought of confuting 
him on the orthodox scheme, and was not without thoughts 
of maintaining Dr. Clarke's system against him. But when 
I understood that he claimed Dr. Clarke as a Socinian, I 
was surprised, and engaged in much anxious consideration 
of the subject. The more I studied, the more I was dis- 
sat::^fied ; many things now first occurred to me, as strong 
objections against my own sentiments upon that head ; and 
being perplexed and unable to make out a scheme for my- 



AN AUTHENTIC NARRATIVE. 367 

self, I easily perceived that I was not qualified to dispute 
with another person. My pride and my convictions strug- 
gled hard for victory ; I was very unwilling to become a 
Trinitarian, in the strict sense of the v/ord, though in my 
own sense I had for some time pretended to be one ; and 
yet the more I considered it, the morel was dissatisfied with 

all other systems. My esteem for Mr. ■, was also now 

very much increased ; and thoupb I had hitherto concealed 
this part of my sentiments from him, yet I knew his 
to be very different ; and though I was not willing to .be 
taught by him in other matters, yet in this respect, finding 
his opinion the same which in all former ages of the church 
hath been accounted orthodox, whilst that which I- held had 
all along been branded as heretical, my fears of a mistake 
were thereby exceedingly increased. In this perplexity I 
applied to the Lord, and besought him to lead me to a set- 
tled conclusion what was the truth. After much meditation 
upon this subject, together with a careful examination of all 
the Scriptures which I then understood to relate thereto, 
accompanied with a hearty prayer for divine teaching, I was 
^t length constrained to renounce as utterly indefensible, all 
my former sentiments, and to accede to that doctrine 
which I had so long despised. I saw, and could no longer 
avoid seeing, that the offices and works attributed in Scrip- 
ture to the Son and Holy Ghost, are such as none but the 
infinite God could perform ; that it is a contradiction to 
believe the real, and consequently infinite satisfaction to 
divine justice made by the death of Christ, without believ- 
ing him to be very God of very God : nor could the Holy 
Ghost give spiritual life unto, and dwell in the hearts of all 
believers at the same time, to suit his work of convincing, 
enlightening, teaching, strengthening, sanctifying, and com- 
forting, to the several cases of every individual, were he not 
the omniscient, omnipresent, infinite God. And being as- 
sured from reason, as well as from Scripture, that there is 
not, and cannot be more Gods than one, I was driven from 
my reasonings, and constrained to submit my natural under- 
standing to divine revelation ; and allowing that the incom- 
prehensible God alone can fully know the unsearchable 
mysteries of his own divine nature, and the manner of his 
own existence to adopt the doctrine of a Trinity in Unity, 
in order to preserve consistency in my own scheme. But 
it was a considenible time before I was disentangled from 
my embarrassment on this subject. 



36s THE FOPXE OF TKLTH •' 

Hitherto my prejudices against Mr. Hervey, as a writer 
iipon doctrinal subjects, had been very strong. I thought 
him a very pious man, and I had read with pleasure some 
parts of his meditations ; but having considered him an en- 
thusiast, I had no curiosity to read any other of his writings. 
But about July 1777? I providentially met with his dia- 
logues and letters between Theron and Aspasio, and open- 
ing the book, I was much pleased with the first passage on 
which I cast my eye. This engaged me to read the whole 
with uncommon attention : nor did I, in twice perusing it ever 
meet with any thing contrary to my own sentiments, without 
immediately beseeching the Lord to guide me to the truth. 
I trust the Lord heard and answered these my prayers : for, 
though I could not but dissent from him, (as I still do) in 
some few things, yet I was very much enlightened thereby, 
in every thing relative to our fallen, guilty, lost, and help- 
lessly miserable state by nature ; and the way and manner 
in which the believer is accounted and accepted as right- 
eous in the presence of a just, holy, and heart-searching, a 
faithful, and unchangeable God ; especially his animated 
description and application of the stag-chase, cleared up 
this important matter to my mind, more than any thing I 
had hitherto met with upon the subject. 

I had now acceded to most of the doctrines which at 
present I believe and preach ; except the doctrine of person- 
al election, and those which depend on, and are connected 
with it. These were still foolishness to me, and so late as 

August, 1777? I told my friend Mr. , that I was sure I 

never should be of his sentiments on that head, to which he 
answered, that if I never mentioned this subject, he never 
should, as we were now agreed in all he judged absolutely 
needful ; but he had not the least doubt of my very shortly 
becoming a Calvinist, as I should presently discover my 
system of doctrine to be otherwise incomplete and incon- 
sistent with itself. And indeed by this time I had so re- 
peatedly discovered myself to be mistaken, where I had 
been very confident, that I began to suspect myself in every 
thing wherein I entertained sentiments different from those 
with whom I conversed. This did not influence me to 
take their opinions upon trust ; but it disposed me more 
particularly and attentively to consider them ; and in every 
perplexity to have recourse to the Lord, to be preserved 
from error, and guided to the truth. 



AN AUTHENTIC NARRATIVE. 369 

About tlie same time also, I began to have more frequent 
applications made to me by persons under deep concern for 
their souls. My heart was much engaged in this new em- 
ployment ; I was much troubled to see their pressing anxi- 
eties, and to hear their doubts, difficulties, and objections 
against themselves. Being sincerely desirous to instruct 
them right, and to lead them on to establishment and com- 
fort, I felt my deficiency, and seemed to have no ground to 
go on, nor any counsel to give them, but what led them 
into , greater perplexity, instead of relieving them. In this 
case I earnestly besought the Lord to instruct me what 
word in season to speak unto them. 

Thus circumstanced, I read '' Witsius's Economy of the 
Covenants,'' and observed what use he made of the doc- 
trine of election for this very purpose. This convinced 
me that tlie doctrine, if true, would afford that ground of 
comfort which my people wanted. It would evince, that 
their being awakened out of a careless state, to an earnest 
concern for, and anxiety about their souls, and to an hearty 
desire of cleaving unto the Lord ; and their want of some 
security that they should not, through the deceitfulness of 
their own hearts, their own weakness, the entanglements of 
the world, and the temptations of Satan, fall back again into 
their former course of sin, was the work of the Holy Ghost. 
If this were wrought in consequence of the determinate pur- 
pose and foreknowledge of God respecting them, it would 
follow from the entire and undeserved freeness of this first 
gift, bestowed on them, v/hen neither desiring nor seeking it, 
but being in a state of enmity and rebellion against, and 
neglect of God, and from his unchangeableness in his pur- 
poses, and faithfulness to his promises, that he would assur- 
edly carry on, and complete this good work of his grace, 
and keep the believing soul as in a castle, through faith unto 
salvation. 

Having now considered one use of this doctrine, which 
before I objected to as useless and pernicious, I began to 
consider how the other objections which I had been accus^^ 
tomed to urge against it might be answered. 'Tis true that 
I began to consider this whole matter as a mystery not to 
be comprehended, nor yet too curiously searched into by 
man's natural reason, but humbly received by faith, just as 
far as it is plainly revealed in God's unerring word. Many 
objections, therefore, I was constrained to leave unanswer- 
ed, resolving them into the incomprehensible nature of God, 
whose judgments, and still more his counsels, are, as tho 



370 THE FOKCE OF TRUTH : 

great cleop, unfathomable ; and into the sovereifrnty of 
God^ who does what he will with his own, and gives no 
account of any of his matters, let who will presume to find 
fault : and into his declarations, that his thoughts and ways 
are as far above our thoughts and ways, as the heavens 
are above the earth. Plere I left this matter, conscious 
at length, that such knowledge was too high for me, 
and that if God had s^id it, it was not my place to cavil 
against it. I acknowledge this way of answering objections 
is not very satisfactory to man^s proud curiosity, who would 
be as God, and know all that God knows, and even dares to 
dispute Vt'ith him ; and there are times when I can hardly 
acquiesce in such a solution : but surely it is highh' becom- 
ing the dependent state, and limited understanding of the 
creature, to submit the decision of all such high points, im- 
plicitly to the award of the infinitely wise Creator. And 
the christian religion expressly requires it of us, for our 
Lord declares, that '^ Except we receive the kingdom of 
God,'^ (not as a disputing philosopher.) but '^ as a little 
child, we shall in no wise enter therein.'' The day is com- 
ing, when we shall be able to answer all objections. Plere 
we are to walk by faith, and see in part, and as through a 
glass, darkly ; hereafter we shall see face to face, and know 
even as we are known. 

Leaving therefore all difficulties of a metaphysical nature 
to be cleared up in that world of light and knowledge, I be- 
gan to consider the abuses of this doctrine, which I had al- 
w^ays looked upon as being a very formidable objection 
against it. But I soon discovered, that though ungodly men, 
who make profession of religion, will turn the grace of God 
into licentiousness ; yet that we might so explain and guard 
these doctrines, that none could thus abuse them, without 
being conscious that they did so, and detecting their own 
hypocrisy. It still indeed appeared probable to me, that 
the preaching of them might occasion some trouble of mind 
at first to a few well-disposed persons ; but I considered that 
by a cautious declaration of them, and contrasting them 
with the general promises of the gospel to all who believe, 
this might in a great measure be prevented ; and at the 
worst, a little personal conversation with such persons, 
would seldom, if ever, fail to satisfy their minds, and even 
finable them in general to derive encouragement from them : 
v/liilst the unsettling of the minds of such persons, as are 
carelessly living in an unconverted state, is the great end 



AN AUTHENTIC NARRATIVE. STl 

of all Gur preaching to them ; and therefore we need not 
fear any bad effect of this doctrine in that respect. The 
great question therefore was^ '^ are these doctrines in the 
Bible, or no ?'' Hitherto I had wilfully passed over, and 
neglected, or endeavoured to put some other construction 
upon all those Scriptures which directly spe-ik of them ; but 
now I began to consider, meditate and pray over them ; 
and 1 soon found that I could not support my former inter- 
pretation of them. They would teach predestination, elec- 
tion, fund perseverance and assurance, in spite of all my 
twisting and expounding. It also occurred to me that 
though now in disgrace, they were universally believed and 
maintained by our venerable reformers ; that they were ad- 
mitted, at the beginning of the reformation, into the creeds^ 
catechisms, or articles of every one of the Protestant chiu-ch- 
es ; that our articles and homilies expressly maintained 
them : and consequently, tkat a vast number of wise and so- 
ber-minded men, who in their days v/ere burning and shin- 
ing lights, upon mature deliberation, had agreed, not only 
that they were true, but that they ought to be admitted as 
useful, or even as necessary articles of f:nth by every one, 
who deemed himself called, to take upon him the office of a 
christian minister. 

In the course of this inquiry I perceived, that my sj^stem 
of doctrine was incomplete without them. I believed, that 
men by nature born in sin, and the children of wrath, by 
wicked works the enemies of God, being in themselves un- 
godly and without strength, were saved of free mercy and 
grace, without having done any thing, more or less, to de- 
serve it, through the Redeemer's righteousness and atone- 
ment, received by faith, the gift and operation of God ; and 
accompanied with a new birth of the Spirit, a new creation 
unto good v/orks, and to the divine image, by the power of 
the Holy Ghost : and now, therefore, it occurred to me, to 
inquire from what source these precious blessings, thus 
freely flowing through the channel of redemption to poor 
worthless sinners, could originally spring ? In this inquiry, 
my mind being carried back from the consideration of the 
effects, to the consideration of their causes ; and from the 
promises made to fallen man, to the counsels and purposes 
of God, which induc(Ml him to give those promises ; and 
jneditaiing on the divine })erfecti()ns, his omniscieuce, un- 
changeablencjss, and eternity, and the end which tlie all- 
sufficient God had iu view, in all his works, oven the mani^ 



572 THE FORCE OF TRUTH : 

festation of the glory of his own perfections ; I at length 
perceived, that this great work of redemption, as planned 
by God, to whom were known all his works from before the 
foundation of the world, must be the result of his eternal 
purpose, of displaying the glory of his mercy and grace in 
harmonious consistency with his most awful justice, and 
glorious holiness ; and thereby manifesting the inexhaustible 
resources of his manifold wisdom, in thus reconciling, and at 
one time, and in one work, unitedly glorifying these his at- 
tributes, which considered as perfect^ seem, to created un- 
derstanding, irreconcileable to each other. Especially, I 
was convinced of this, when I discovered, that until the fall 
of man made w^ay for, and the redemption had manifested 
the attribute of mercy to sinners, it had as far as we can 
learn, been unexercised, and undisplayed, and consequently 
unknown to any but God himself from all eternity : nor 
could he have the glory of it, but must have been consider- 
ed as so perfect injustice and holiness, as to be incapable of 
exercising mercy, had he not chosen some objects on whom 
to exercise it ; and devised some way wherein to exercise 
it, in consistency with his other perfections. Thus I per- 
ceived redemption to be the effect of a settled design formed 
in God's eternal counsels, of manifesting himself to his rea- 
sonable creatures to be complete, and full orbed in all con- 
ceivable perfections ; that the merciful and gracious nature 
of God, the fountain of goodness, alone moved him to 
choose any transgressors of his law, as objects of his fa- 
vourable regard ; that his unconstrained will and pleasure 
are the only assignable causes of his choosing one, rather 
than another ; that tlie objections are as strong against this 
being understood of nations, or collective bodies, as of indi- 
viduals ; that the whole work being his own ; his wisdom 
having devised the means, his love and all-sufficiency hav- 
ing in the person, offices,'; and work of Chirist, made all 
things ready ; his providence directing absolutely to whom 
the word of invitation should bo sent ; and his Holy Spirit 
alone inclining, and enabling the soul to embrace it by faith; 
therefore, that God who knoweth the end from the begin- 
ning, and is a sovereign, and when none have deserved any 
thing, may do as he will with his own, did actually '^ choose 
every individual believer, in Christ, before the foundation 
of the world, that we should be holy and without blame be- 
fore him in love ; having predestinated us unto the adop- 
tion of children by Jesus Christ to himself according to the 



AN AUTHENTIC NARRATIVE. 3^3 

good pleasure of his will ; to the praise of the glory of his 
grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. '^ 
(Eph. i. 4. 6.) 

In short, though my ol)jections were many, my anxiety 
great and my resistance long : yet, by the evidence which, 
both from the word of God and from my own meditation, 
crowded upon my mind, I was at length constrained to sub- 
mit, and, God knoweth, with fear and trembling, to allow 
these formerly despised doctrines a place in my creed : 
and, accordingly^ about Christmas, 1777, I began cautious- 
ly to establish the truth of them, and to make use of them 
for the consolation of poor distressed, and fearful believers. 
This was the only use I then knew of them, though I now 
see their influence into every part of gospel truth. 

However, I would observe, that though I assuredly be- 
lieve these doctrines, as far as here expressed; (for I am 
not willing to trace them any higher by reasonings or con- 
sequences into the unrevealed things of God,) and though I 
exceedingly need them in my view of religion, both for my 
own consolation and security against the consequences of 
my own deceitful heart, an ensnaring world, and a subtle 
tempter : as also for the due exercise of my pastoral office : 
yet I would not be understood to place the acknowledgment 
of them upon a level with the belief of the doctrines, that 
have before been spoken of. I can readily conceive the 
character of an humble, pious, spiritual Christian, who either 
is an utter stranger to these Calvinistical doctrines, or 
through misapprehension, or fear of abuse, cannot receive 
them. But I own that I find a difficulty in conceiving an 
humble, pious, spiritual. Christian, who is a stranger to his 
own utterly lost condition, to the deceitfulness and depravi- 
ty of his heart, to the riatural alienation of his affections 
from God, and to the defilements of his best duties ; who 
trusts either in whole or in part, allowedly^ to any thing for 
pardon and justification, but the blood and righteousness of 
a crucified Saviour, who is God manifested in the flesh ; or 
who expects to be made meet for the inheritance of the 
saints in light, in any other way, than by being born again, 
new created, converted, and sanctified by the divine power 
of the Holy Ghost. 

Some time in November, 1777? I was by a then unknown 
friend, furnished with a considerable number of books, 
written in general by the old divines both of the church of 
England and of the Dissenters. And to my no small sur- 

32 



S74 THE FORCE OF TRUTH : 

prise, I foundj that those doctrines, which ai^e now deemed 
novel inventions, and are called Methodistical, are in these 
books every where discoursed of as known and allowed 
truths ; and that that system, which, despising to be taught 
by men and unacquainted with such authors, I had for near 
three years together been hammering out of myself with no 
small labour and anxiety, was to be found ready made to 
my hands, in every book I opened. 

I make no wonder, that the members of the church of 
England are generally prejudiced against^ the writings of 
Dissenters ; for I have been so myself to an excess : we 
imbibe this prejudice with the first rudiments of instruction, 
and are taught by our whole education to consider it as 
meritorious ; though no doubt it is a prejudice of which ev- 
ery sincere inquirer after truth ought to be afraid, and eve- 
ry pretended inquirei ashamed ; for how^ can we determine 
on which side truth lies, if we will not examine both sides ? 
And indeed it is well known to all those, who are acquaint- 
ed with the church histories of those times, that until the 
reign of James the First there were no controversies be- 
tween the church established, and the Puritans, concerning 
doctrine, both parties being in all matters of importance of 
the same sentiments ; they only contended about discipline 
and ceremonies, until the introduction of Arminianism gave 
occasion to the Calvinists being denominated Doctrinal Pu- 
ritans. Unto this period all our church writers were Cal- 
vinistical in doctrine, and even after that time many might 
be mentioned who were allowed friends of the church of 
England, who opposed these innovations, and agreed in 
doctrine with every thing that hath been mentioned. Let 
it suffice, out of many, to recommend Bishop Hall's works, 
especially his " Contemplations on the life of Jesus,'' a 
book not easily too highly prized: and Dr. Reynolds' works. 
To these, no true friend to the church of England can rea- 
sonably object. And in general I believe, and teach no- 
thing, but what they plainly taught before me, as I could ea- 
sily prove, but that I have been too tedious already. 

I have now got the out-lines of my scheme of doctrine 
marked out ; but I had been so taken up with these doc- 
trinal inquiries, that hitherto I was very much a stranger to 
the workings of my own heart, and had little experience in 
my own soul, of the power of these truths. The pride of 
reasoning, and the conceit of my superior discernment, had 
all along accompanied me ; and though somewhat broken, 



AN AUTHENTIC NARRATIVE. 375 

had yet considerable influence. Hitherto therefore I had 
, not thought of hearing any person preach, because I did not 
know that any person in the circle of my acquaintance, was 
capable of informing me in any thing deserving attention, of 
which I was ignorant. But at length perceiving, that in the 
whole matter Mr. — — had been right, and that I had been 
mistaken, it occurred to me that having preached these doc- 
trines so long, he must understand many things concerning 
them, to which I was a stranger. Now therefore, though 
not without much remaining prejudice, and not less in the 
character of a judge, than of a scholar, I condescended to 
be his hearer, and occasionally to attend his preaching, and 
that of some other Ministers. I soon perceived the benefit 
of this ; for, from time to time, I found the secrets of my 
heart discovered to me, far beyond w4iat I had hitherto no- 
ticed myself; and seldom returned from hearing a sermon, 
without having conceived a meaner opinion of myself ! with- 
out having attained to a further acquaintance with my de- 
ficiencies, my weakness, my corruptions, and wants ; and 
without being supplied with fresh matter for prayer, and di- 
rected to greater watchfulness. Moreover I learned the 
use of experience in preaching, and was convinced that the 
ready way to come at other people's hearts and consciences, 
was to speak from my own. In short, I gradually saw more 
and more of my need of instruction, and was brought to 
consider myself as a very novice in religious matters. I 
began experimentally to perceive our Lord's meaning when 
he says, '^ Except ye receive the kingdom of heaven as a 
little child, ye shall in no wise enter therein." For though 
my proud heart is continually rebelling, and would fain 
build up again the former Babel of self-conceit ; yet I trust 
from this time, in my settled judgment, I have desired, and 
prayed to be enabled, to consider myself as a little child, 
who ought simply to sit at the master's feet, to hear his 
words with profound submission, and wait his teaching with 
earnest desire and patient attention. And from this time I 
have been enabled to consider those persons, whose know- 
ledge has been ripened by years, experience^ and observa- 
tion, as fathers and instructors, to take pleasure in their com- 
pany, value their counsels^ and love to attend their preach- 
ing. 

Thus I trust the old building, that l had proposed to re- 
pnir, was pulled down to tlie ground, and the foundation of 
the new building of God laid aright : old things were passed 



376 THE FORCE OF TliUTH ; 

away, behold all things were become new. What things 
were gain to me, those I have counted loss for Christ ; my 
boasted reason I discovered to be a blind guide, until hum- 
bled, enlightened, and sanctified by the Spirit of God ; my 
former wisdom I now know to have been foolishness, and that 
when I thought I knew much, I knew nothing as I ought to 
know. Since this period, every thing I have experienced 
in my own heart, every thing I have heard and read, every 
thing I observe around me, confirms and establishes me in the 
assured belief of those truths which I have received ; nor do I 
in general anymore doubt their being from God, than I doubt 
w liether the sun shines, when 1 see its light, and am w^arm- 
ed with its refreshing beams. I see the powerful effects of 
them continually amongst those to Avhom I preach ; I ex- 
perience the power of them daily in my own soul ; and 
whilst by meditating on, and rejoicing in the cross of Christ, 
1 find the vrorld crucified unto me, and I unto the world ; by 
preaching Jesus Christ, and him crucified, I see notoriously 
immoral persons influenced to deny ungodliness and worldly 
lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this pre- 
sent world, being an example to such, as before they were a 
scandal to. 

And now by this change, the consequences of which I so 
much dreaded, w^hat have 1 lost even in respect of this pre- 
sent world ? Indeed I have lost some degree of favour, and 
escape not pity, censure, scorn, and opposition ; but the 
Lord is introducing me to a new, and far more desirable ac- 
quaintance ; even to that of those, whom the Holy Ghost 
hath denominated the excellent of the earth ; nay, the Lord 
the Spirit condescends to be my comforter. In general 1 
enjoy an established peace of conscience, through the 
blood of sprinkling, and continual application to the heav- 
enly Advocate ; with a sweet content, and that peace of 
God, which passeth all understanding, in casting all my 
cares upon him, who careth for me. And I am not left 
utterly wdthout experience of that joy, which is unspeaka- 
ble and full of glory. These the w^orld could not give me, 
w^ere I in favour with it ; of these it cannot deprive me by 
its frowns. My desire henceforth, God knoweth, is to live 
to his glory, and by my whole conduct and conversation to 
adorn the doctrine of God my Saviour, and to show forth 
his praise, who hath called me out of darkness into his mar- 
vellous light; to be in some way or other useful to his be- 
lieving people ; and to invite poor sinners, who are walking 



AN AUTHENTIC NARRATIVE. S7T 

in a vain shadow, and disquieting themselves in vain, to 
taste and see how gracious the Lord is^ and how bl3ssed 
they are who put their trust in him. 

Now would I tell to sinners round, 
What a dear Saviour I have found, 
Would point to his redeeming blood, 
And cry, behold the way to God ! 

Thus hath the Lord led me, a poor blind sinner, in a way 
that I knew not, he hath made darkness light before me, 
crooked things straight, and hard things easy, and hath 
brought me to a place, of which 1 little thought when I set 
out ; and having done these things for me, I believe, yea^ I 
am undoubtingly sure, he will never leave me nor forsake 
me. To him be the glory of his undeserved, long resisted 
grace ; to me be the shame not only of all my other sins, 
but also of my proud and perverse opposition to his pur- 
poses of love towards me. But all this was permitted, that 
my high spirit and stout heart being at length humbled and 
subdued, I might remember, and be confounded, and never 
open my mouth more, because of my shame, now that the 
Lord is pacified to me for all that I have done. 

And now, as in the presence of the heart searching God, 
I have given without one wilful misrepresentation, addition, 
or material omission, an history of the great things God 
hath done for my soul; or if that suit not your view of it; 
an history of that change which hath recently taken place 
in my religious sentiments and conduct, to the surprise of 
some and perhaps displeasure of others of my former friends. 
The doctrines, which I have now received, are indeed char- 
ged with being destructive of moral practice, and tending to 
licentiousness ; but, though I know that my best righteous- 
nesses are as filthy rags, yet I trust I may return thanks to 
God, that by his grace he hath so upheld me, since this 
change took place, that I have not been permitted to dis- 
grace the cause in which I have embarked, by any immoral 
conduct : my rejoicing, in this respect, is this, that in sim- 
plicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by 
the grace of God I have my conversation in the world. 
And sincerely I may avow, that the belief of these doctrhies, 
hath a quite contrary effect upon me. I most heartily de- 
sire, aim, endeavour, and pray to be enabled to love God 
and keep his commandments, without partiality and without 
hypocrisy, and so to demean myself, as by well doing to 

32* 



378 THE FORCE OP TRUTH, &:C, 

put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. That I fall so 
very far short in every thing is not the effect of ray new doc- 
trines, hut of my old depraved nature, and deceitful heart. 
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spi- 
rit within me ! 



PART III, 

CONTAINING 

OBSERVATIONS 

ON THE 

FOREGOING NARRATIVE. 



My design in writing this account of myself and my re- 
ligious inquiries, and change of sentiments, was as follows : 
I considered myself a singular instance of a very unlikely 
person, in an uncommon manner, being led on from one 
thing to another to embrace a system of doctrine which he 
once heartily despised. And as I do assuredly believe that 
this change hath been effected under the guidance and 
teaching of the Holy Ghost ; so I verily hoped that a cir- 
cumstantial relation of it might be an encouragement and 
comfort to those, who know and love the Lord, and from 
them levy a tribute of gratitude, and praise to our gracious 
wonder-working God: and that it also might be instru- 
mental, by the convincing Spirit, to awaken others to a se- 
rious review of their religious sentiments : to put them up- 
on the same earnest inquiry after the truth, as it is in Jesus ; 
and to influence them to the diligent use of the same bles- 
sed means, in which the Lord directed me to be found. In 
order to forward this eliect, I would offer a few observa- 
tions upon what has been related, to the attentive and im- 
partial consideration of the reader ; and may the Lord 
guide both the writer and reader of these sheets to the 
saving knowledge of himself, and of the ways of truth and 
peace ! 

Now, 1st. T think it must be evident to every unpreju- 
diced reader of this narrative, that at the time this change 
commenced, I was, humanly speaking, a most unlikely per- 
son, to embrace this system of doctrine. This will appear 
from the following considerations. 

1. By reason of my religious opinions at that time, 
which had been for many years directly contrary thereto. 



380 OBSERVATIONS ON tHE 

Being always of a reflecting turn, I had exceeding high no- 
tions of the powers of human reason, and a very favourable 
opinion of my own understanding : and I had upon reason- 
ing principles, embraced a system of religion, wh^ch, while 
it soothed my conscience, flattered this self-conceit. After 
some trivial alterations, I seemed to myself, upon mature 
deliberation, to have come to a settled determination, and 
had bestowed considerable pains in making myself acquaint- 
ed with those arguments and iiiterpretations of Scripture 
wherewith that system is usually defended ; and I had ra- 
ked together many of those ^la^usible objections, and high 
charges, which are by reasoning men brought against the 
doctrines, and persons of the Calvinists. But on the other 
hand, I was in a great measure a stranger to what the Cal- 
vinists could say for themselves ; because I thought the 
matter too plain to bear an argument, and therefore did not 
think their answers worth reading. In short, I was fallen 
so very low, that very few have ever been recovered from 
that abyss of error, into which I have been permitted to sink. 
Full of confidence in my cause, and in the arguments, with 
which I was preparing myself, and with the most sanguine 
expectations of success, I was eager to engage in controversy 
with the Calvinists. In this confidence I frequently ha- 
rangued against them from the pulpit, and spared not to 
charge upon them consequences both absurd and shocking. 
And yet at length after much, very much anxious, diligent 
inquiry, I have embraced, as the sacred truths of God's un- 
erring word, every doctrine of this despised system. 

2. From my natural spirit and temper, I was a most un- 
likely person thus to change. Few persons were ever more 
self-sufficient and positive in their opinions, than I was. — 
Fond to excess of entering into argument, I never failed on 
these occasions to betray this peculiarity of my character. 
I seldom acknowledged or suspected myself mistaken ; and 
scarce ever dropped any argument until either my reason- 
ings, or obstinacy had silenced my opponent. A certain 
person once said of me, that I was like a stone rolling down 
the hill, which could neither be stopped nor turned ; this 
witness was true ; but those things which are impossible 
with man, are easy with God : I am evidently both stopped, 
and turned ; man I am persuaded could not have done it ; 
but this hath God wrought, — and I am not more a wonder to 
others than to myself. Indeed I carried the same obstinate, 
positive temper into my religious inquiries : for I never gave 



I 



FOREGOING NARRATIVE. 381 

«p one tittle of my sentiments^ till I could defend them no 
longer, nor ever submitted to conviction^ till I could make 
no longer resistance. The strong man armed with my na- 
tural pride, and obstinacy ; and having with my vain im- 
aginations, and reasonings, and high thoughts, built himself 
many strong holds, kept his castle in my heart ; and thus 
garrisoned, when the stronger than he came against him, he 
stood a long siege ; till being by superior force driven from 
one to another, and all his armour wherein he trusted, being 
at length taken from him, he was constrained to recede. 
And the Lord having made me willing in the day of his 
power, I was forced to confess ; '^ O Lord, thou art stronger 
than I, and hast prevailed.'' 

3, My situation in life rendered such a change improba- 
ble. I had an increasing family, no private fortune, a nar- 
row, precarious income, and no expectations, except from 
such friends, as my conduct might procure, or continue to 
me. I had unexpectedly contracted an acquaintance with 
some of those, whose favour goes a great way towards a 
man's advancement in life ; nor was I insensible to the ad- 
vantages to be hoped for, from cultivating, by a compliant 
behaviaur, their kind and friendly regard to me ; at the 
same time I was no stranger to the opinion, which the world 
entertains of those who preach these disreputable doctrines ; 
and could not but conclude, that embracing this system of 
religion was a probable way of depriving myself of this 
prospect of preferment. Had I not therefore, as the result 
of my diligent inquiries, been assuredly convinced that it 
was my indispensable duty to embrace, and preach them, 
and that by so doing alone, I could ensure to myself the fa- 
vour of a better friend, than any here below ; I should have 
been destitute even of common sense, to have had any thing 
to do with them. And yet being aware all along, how un- 
favourable, according to human prohahility^ it will prove, to 
my worldly interests, at length I have deliberately embra- 
ced tliem. 

4. Nor was my regard to my character a trifling security 
against such a change of sentiment. I was ambitiously, and 
excessively fond of that honour, which cometh from man ; 
and considered the desire of praise as allowable, nay lauda- 
ble. By this motive was I urged on to a very diligent pros- 
ecution of my studies, even beyond what my natural incli- 
nation led me to ; and my whole conduct was influenced by, 
njy whole conversation tinctured with, this vain glorious 



382 OBSERVATIONS ON THE 

aim. On the other hand, with approbation and self-compla- 
cency, I had been accustomed to hear the most contemptu- 
ous and opprobrious epithets, liberally added to the names 
of those persons, to whom I have now joined myself; and 
all along, as I verged nearer and nearer to Methodism, I 
was painfully sensible, that I was drawing upon myself the 
same mortifying distinctions. I have been a vain*glorious 
candidate for human applause ; but I renounce such pre- 
tensions, and willingly submit to be considered by the world, 
under the mortifying character of a silly, half-witted, crack- 
brained enthusiast. These epithets I am sensible, are now 
bestowed upon me, behind my back, and very often to my 
face; I bless God this doth not move me, but I can heartily 
thank hira, that I am counted worthy to suffer shame for his 
sake. But when I saw tliis trial approaching, it appeared 
very formidable ; and I can truly affirm, that nothing but 
the fullest conviction, that the cause in which I was embark- 
ing was the cause of God ; nothing, but not daring to act 
contrary to the plain dictates of my conscience, could have 
influenced me to make this sacrifice of my character, and 
bring myself under so much contempt and scorn. 

But 5. To reason with our despisers, upon their own prin- 
ciples ; upon supposition that I am now fallen into enthusi- 
asm, mistake, and strong delusion, I certainly was, when I 
first set out in this inquiry, a very unlikely person so to do. 
My leading resolve was to search for the truth diligently, 
and to embrace it wherever I found it, whatever it might 
cost ; no sooner had I begun this inquiry, than I was called 
upon to give proof of the sincerity of this resolution ; and, 
from a principle of conscience, though a mistaken one, I re- 
nounced my only prospect of preferment; and it would be 
unreasonable to question my sincerity, after it had been 
thus evidenced. Since that time I have also deliberately 
sacrificed my character, and hazarded the loss of all my 
former friends. Giving these proofs of my integrity, I set 
off in dependence on those plain promises, which I have 
mentioned ; I have sought for this desired knowledge of the 
truth mainly in reading the Holy Scriptures, and by prayer 
for the promised teaching of the Holy Ghost, after that 
manner which hath been related ; and am now led to 
conclujhions diametrically opposite, to what I expected* 
Now lay all these things together, and attentively consider 
tbem, and then let your own conscience determine how far 
it is probable, that a person ia this manner seeking for the 



FOREGOING NARRATIVE. 383 

truth, should be given over to a strong delusion to believe a 
pernicious lie. " Would any of you that is a father, if his 
son asked bread, give him a stone, or if he asked a fish, give 
him a serpent ? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good 
gifts unto your children ; how much more shall our heaven- 
ly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him ?" Can 
any man suppose, that after such repeated and continued 
pleadings of the express promises of the Lord to this effect^ 
in earnest prayer, according to his appointment, I should be 
likely to be delivered up to the teaching of the father of 
Lies ? Can any one make this conclusion without insinuat- 
ing that God hath broken his promises, which is shocking 
to think of? In short, you may make a jest of these things, 
you may throw by the book without giving any attention to 
an argument of this kind ; or you may say, what you never 
can prove, that it is all a contrived story ; or you may ar- 
gue, that these promises, though contained in the Bible, are 
not to be depended on by us ; which is to give up the 
Scriptures to be scoffed at by infidels and atheists, and to 
render them useless to the humble, anxious inquirer after 
truth and salvation ; but by no other means, I am assured, 
can you account for this single circumstance, without allow- 
ing, that the substance of those doctrines, that I have now 
embraced, is indeed contained in the word of God ; that 
they comprise the truth as it is in Jesus, and are not cor- 
rupted with any such delusion, as can hazard the salvation 
of my soul, or the souls of those who by my ministry receive 
them. On this supposition edl difficulties vanish. The 
Lord hath given me a sincere desire to know the saving 
doctrine of the Gospel ; and though I was exceedingly ig- 
norant, obstinate, and prejudiced ; yet this desire having, 
by his providential direction, led me to the word of God, 
and influenced me to seek his teaching by praj^er ; God was 
faitliful to his own promises, and it was an example of his 
own words ; that every one that asketh receiveth, and he 
that seeketh findeth." My sincerity in seeking the truth, 
evidenced by the sacrifice I made to my conscience, was 
sufficient to convince any person who is conversant and ex- 
perienced in the things of God, that, as my friend foretold, 
thither would all my inquiries lead, in that would they all 
finally centre. And could I bo assured, beloved reader, 
whoever thou art, that thou wast as sincerely desirous to 
know the truth, as I then was, and as heartily resolved to 
embrace it wherever thou didst find it, and whatever it 



384 OBSERVATIONS ON THE 

should cost thee ; had I also assurance, that in a believing 
dependence on these promises, thou wast diligently, and from 
day to day, in the study of the word of God and prayer, seek- 
ing the accomplishment thereof unto thy soul ; I would as 
confidently foretel, that as to those things, which I now re 
gard as essential to salvation, and, if thou hast the souls 
of others committed to thee, as to what is needful for thy' 
usefulness in the ministry, thou wouldst be brought in time 
to the same conclusions, whatever thy present religious sen 
timents may be. — May the Lord give thee true sincerity, and 
incline thine heart to try the experiment. 

I am aware that many will object to w^hat I have urged 
under this head, as being too confident ; and as urged by 
men of contrary religious sentiments, each in behalf of his 
own system ; and as I would neither wish by vain contro- 
versy to be detained from more profitable employments, nor 
yet to leave any material, and plausible objection in force 
against what 1 have asserted ; I hope the reader will ex- 
cuse my obviating this beforehand. In answer therefore to 
those, who may deem me too confident in this argument, I 
would only entreat them impartially and carefully to consider 
the limitations, with which on every hand it is guarded ; 
and then to inquire, whether in any other way, than that 
which hath been mentioned, he can account for this cir- 
cumstance : that is, supposing this narrative true, for which 
the appeal is to the heart-searching God ; and supposing 
the promises mentioned, to be proposed to us, that we might 
embrace, depend on, and plead them in prayer ; considering 
the glory of the divine veracity as concerned in their ac- 
complishment to every believer, and then try, whether you 
possibly can evade one of the following conclusions, 1. 
Either God hath failed of his promise, Or, 2. God hath in 
the main, and as far as is expressed, led the author by his 
Holy Spirit to the knov.-ledge and belief of the truth. To 
the 2d argument, taken from experience, I answer, 1. 
That it is not fact ; many pretenders to sincerity, and can- 
dour will without hesitation, condemn as enthusiastical, such 
a reliance on, and confidence in these promises, and this 
way of searching for truth ; and it is plain they do not seek 
truth in that manner, which they condemn in others. Many 
others, perhaps slightly mention these matters, but they 
will not endure to be closely questioned ; they are con- 
scious that they have not sought the truth in this manner, 
aad thQrefore they evade such discourse as personal. 2. I 



1 



FOREGOING NARRATIVE* 3^5 

aiiswer, that the writings of many pretended inquirers after 
truthj evidently show that they expect to find it, not by 
trusting the Lord with all their heart, asking wisdom of 
him, or seeking in the word of God and by prayer, to bd 
taught of him ; but by leaning to their own understan in g , 
by resting the argument on philosophical reasonings, by 
backing it with the authority of this, or that renowned name^ 
and supporting their conclusions by bold, and perplexing 
criticisms, and interpretations of Scripture. Hence so ma- 
ny daring appeals from revelation, to reason and philoso- 
phy ; hence such, and so many objections brought against 
doctrines plainly revealed in God's word ; (if language hath 
any determinate meaning ;) and so many consequences 
charged upon these doctrines, with a design to invalidate 
their divine authority ; as if being made by every art of 
ingenuity, to have the show of unreasonableness, was suffi- 
cient to prove the plainest revelation of God's Holy Spirit 
a falsehood : hence such liberty, in interpretation and criti- 
cism, taken with the word of God, as the learned would ne- 
ver endure in interpreting or criticising upon Horace or 
Virgil. These things prove, that such persons are stran- 
gers to that earnest, hearty, sincere desire to know the 
truth, which brings the inquirer to an humble willingness to 
be taught of God, and in submission of understanding to 
seek wisdom from his word and Spirit. And S, It is evi- 
dent, that many pretenders to this sincere desire to know 
the truth, are not troubled with suspicions that they are, or 
can be wrong. They have made up their minds before 
they begin their inquiries ; and therefore you will not find 
them willing to make the least concession, but, in the man- 
agement of the controversy, resolved to vindicate, and con- 
tend for every tittle, wading through thick and thin, (as it is 
«aid,) to make good their cause ; and where arguments fail, 
to make use of the other arts of controversy, with which 
skill in the management of their weapons, and anger against 
their opponents, can supply them. Where a cause is 
maintained in this manner you may easily understand, that 
there is none of that earnest desire of learning the truth, 
and that anxious fear of mistaking it, or of that distrust of 
self, and those doubts concerning our present knowledge 
and belief, which constitute that sincerity, that leads the 
inquirer to the word and Spirit of God for direction and 
teaching. Lay these things together, and they will, on 
scriptural grounds, cut off many confident pretenders to 

33 



386 OBSERVATIONS ON THE 

s'lncerity from their claims as entirely as they exclude An- 
nas and Caiaphas, and the chief priests, Scribes and Phari- 
sees, from being sincere inquirers into the truth of the 
Old Testament ; when in support of their own authority 
and reputation, and influenced by pride, and anger, they, 
under colour of their law, put to death him, of whom JMo- 
ses and the Prophets did write, even Jesus of Nazareth, the 
Son of God. And as to men of another spirit, who appear 
sincere, humble, and willing to be taught of God, in their 
inquiry after truth ; but do not entirely agree with what has 
been laid down as my view of the truth. I would only wish 
them to observe the distinction established between some 
and others of these doctrines. Such persons do not, I dare 
say materially differ from that, which has been mentioned 
as necessary to salvation ; and therefore, as I allow that 
they may have been in the main taught of God; so I only 
require the same allowance ; and that it may be supposed 
that the same God, who according to his promise hath led 
both, as far as is needful to salvation, in the same way, has 
in other things left us to differ, for the mutual exercise of 
candour and forbearance, till that time when we shall know 
even as we are known. 

Lay these things impartially together, consider my for- 
mer sentiments on religious subjects ; my self-sufficiency 
and positiveness in my opinions ; my worldly interest and 
character both to appearance at stake ; my sincerity in my 
religious inquiries thus evidenced ; and then, suppose my 
present sentiments to be enthusiasm, and pernicious delu- 
sion, and will it not be evident to your own consciences, 
that I was a most unlikely person to fall into them ? 

II. In the second place I would observe, that this chango 
in my sentiments was very gradual. 

When any person suddenly changes his religious opinions 
for others very different from them, it is no inconsiderable 
evidence of a changeable, and fickle disposition ; it gives 
cause to suspect that he was not well established in his for- 
mer sentiments ; that he had taken them upon trust, and 
was a stranger to the arguments wherewith they might be 
defended, and to the objections, which might be urged 
against them. If worldly interest, reputation, or convenien- 
cy seem to favour the change, there is room for a presump- 
tion, that these had an undue influence upon him ; if not it 
may be insinuated, that he was deluded with specious ap- 
pearances, that he did not allow himself time to wdgh khe 



FOREGOING NARRATIVE. 387 

armaments pro and con ; that he had only changed one set 
of notions for another, without having duly considered either 
side. Such objections may reasonably be made, and the 
consequences of such precipitate changes too often justify 
ihem. But though I was always and still am, of an head- 
long, impetuous spirit in other things ; and when once I 
have purposed, can have no rest from incessant agitation of 
mind, till I have accomplished ; yet in this particular I act- 
ed contrary to my natural temper. Indeed, at first, I did 
in some instances too much betray my impetuosity ; but at 
that time I acted not in the character of an inquirer, but in 
full confidence that it was pleading the cause of truth, and 
had no more thought of becoming what the world calls a 
Methodist, than of turning Mahometan: and after that first 
hurry was over, though commonly in earnest, and sometimes 
in considerable perturbation of mind, I was outwardly calm 
and satisfied ; being generally enabled to believe, that if 
I were in any thing at present mistaken, I should some time 
be guided to the truth. My determination tc set about this 
inquiry proceeded not so much from anxious fears about 
my own soul, as from a deep sense impressed upon my 
heart, of the importance of the ministry, and the worth of the 
souls committed to my charge, and of the awful account to 
be given of them ; and as I all along bestowed some pains 
in instructing them in what I believed to be the truth ; I 
was preserved thereby from any discomposing fears or un- 
due disquietude of mind. I sat down very coolly to search 
for the truth, I proceeded very gradually, and with extreme 
caution ; I took up no one opinion upon trust ; I gave up 
none of my sentiments, until the arguments, wherewith 
I had learned to defend them, were convincingly answered ; 
nor did I admit any new articles into my creed, till either 
every objection was obviated, or 1 was pressed on the oth- 
er hand with others, still more unanswerable. Much, very 
much, prayer and meditation preceded every change of sen- 
timent ; and I was near three years from the beginning of 
my inquiry, before I came to a determination, what was the 
truth. So long deliberately, and step by step, I examined the 
premises, before I finall}^ proceeded to draw my conclusion. 
I perceive nuich cause to be ashamed of my unteachablc 
temper ; for with such o])portunitics as were afforded me, 
if I had improvcid them, I might have been led to the know- 
ledge and belief of the same truths, in mucli less time. 
But the Lord, r trust, led me in this way, and left me thus 



OBSERVATIONS ON TWE 



^ 



far to my own natural pride of heart ; that it might more 
evidently appear, that I received not my doctrines from 
man, but that indeed, in the first instance, I learned them 
from the word and Spirit of God. 

III. Thirdly, I would observe that as I changed my reli- 
gious views deliberately, so I did it without any teaching 
from the persons, to whose sentiments I have now acceded. 
For a considerable time after the commencement of .my in- 
quiries, I would not so much as read what they had to 
urge in their own behalf. I entered indeed into a corres- 
pondence with Mr. ; but my intention was not to 

learn from him, but to dispute with him, which, when he 
waived, I dropt the correspondence, and utterly neglected 
his letters, as not considering them worth a re-perusnl. From 
that time I avoided his company, and all the time I would 
not hear him preach. I would not be understood to insin- 
uate, that Mr. had not been useful to me : he hath 

been, and continues to be, eminently so ; and 1 continually 
sqe great cause to bless God for giving me such a friend, to 
be so near at hand on alloccasions. But this I assuredly 
believe, that had I never seen him after the time that his 
example had put me upon considering my conduct^ I should 
have arrived at the same views of gospel truth which I now 
have. His usefulness to me, hath all along been in those 
matters, v/herein we were in some measure agreed, not in 
those wherein we differed ; for in these my proud heart 
scorned to have him for a teacher. 

At the same time, though I had the offer of several books 
written by Dissenters and Methodists, I declined them ; 
and did not for near two years, peruse any of them with 
sufficient attentio», to recollect any thing of consequence 
in them. I say not this, as slighting these books : justice 
requires me to acknowledge that many of them which then 
I ignorantly despised, contain as solid and judicious, and ex- 
cellent divinity, as hath been penned since the Apostle's 
days. But I did not get my system from them, for that 
was nearly completed, before I was prevailed upon to read 
them. My studies, besides the Bible, were mainly confined 
to authors of allowed reputation in the church of England, 
several of which I have mentioned. Wherein they differed 
from each other, (as certainly Tillotson and Hooker ; Jor- 
tin and Beveridge ; Bull and Hall, do differ very much in- 
deed,) I endeavoured to judge for myself, comparing all of 
them with the word of God, and with the articles, homiU^? 



FOREGOING NARRATIVE. 389 

and liturgy of the church of England : from such anthors 
thus compared, as far as the writings of uninspired men 
have been instrumental to this change, I have received the 
greatest part of my present opinions. 

But let it be observed, that the further these streams are 
traced upward, towards the fountain of the blessed reforma- 
tion, the purer they flow, according to my present judgment: 
and I have no doubt, but I could, were I to go about it, 
with proper helps, prove undeniably, that there is nothing 
material preached by me, under the scandal of Methodisti- 
cal, which waj& not preached by those excellent persons, 
who having laid the foundation of our church establishment, 
gave their bodies to be burned, in confirmation of the truths 
they taught. It is much to be wished, that their lives and 
and discourses, living and dying, and their remaining wri- 
tings, were more generally known amongst us, and did not 
remain locked up from the world in large folios, in the 
learned languages, or in books out of print, or exceeding 
scarce : the effect of which is, that the members of our na- 
tional church are in general utterly ignorant of its standard 
doctrines, and ignorantly brand those as Methodists and 
Enthusiasts, who preach zealously the very doctrines of the 
first Reformers. 

IV. In the 4th place I would observe the great influence, 
which the study of the Scriptures had in producing this 
change. 

We are too apt, without careful examination, to take 
things for granted ; and to collect our scheme of divinity 
from other authors, and only fetch a few detached texts 
from the Scripture, which appear to countenance our pre- 
conceived opinions ; neglecting, or very slightly consider- 
ing such parts of the word of God, as seem incapable of 
being made use of to our purpose : wfe are too prone in 
availing ourselves of the labours of critics and expositors, to 
resign up ourselves implicitly to their guidance, and to im- 
agine that we have proof enough of our doctrines, if we can 
produce the sanction of some great name, which has espous- 
ed and maintained them ; without carefully examining 
whether they be right or wrong : but this is to pay that 
deference to the human interpretation, which is only due 
to the divine book commented upon. We ministers espe- 
cially, though at ordination we solemnly promise to turn all 
our studies, as much as may be, into this channel, are very 
apt to sufler our time and thoughts to be engrossed with 

33* 



390 OBSERVATIONS ON THE 

such Studies and employments, as are foreign thereto^ in- 
terfere tlierewith, and leave at most but a secondary atten- 
tion for the study of the word of God. Hence it comes to 
pass/ that frequently we do not bestow so much pains in 
meditating upon the Bible, and in comparing spiritual 
things with spiritual, one Scripture with another, with what 
we experience in our own hearts, and what we hear and 
see in the world around us, as we do about matters of far 
less consequence. So that probably should we at any time 
sit down to a diligent examination of the whole w^ord of 
God, we should find it a very different book from what we 
expected : thus at least it hath been with me, and possibly 
it may be so w^ith others. 

The word of God informs us that true wisdom, the sav- 
ing, practical, and experimental knowledge of divine things, 
is not to be acquired without earnest and diligent seeking, 
(Prov. ii. 1, 6.) '- ?vly son if thou wilt receive my words, 
and hide my commandments with thee ; so that thou in- 
cline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to un- 
derstanding : yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and lifteth 
up thy voice for understanding ; if thou seekesther as silver, 
and searcheth for her, as for hid treasures : then shalt thou 
understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of 
God.'' If then our wisdom has been acquired without any 
of that eager desire after, and painful diligence in seeking 
it, with which the covetous man desires and seeks for his 
riches : it is a shrewd conjecture, that it is not of the genu- 
ine sort. Once I had in my own esteem a sort of wisdom, 
which seemed to offer itself to me spontaneously, and to be 
found with little seeking. But now I am persuaded it was 
but a counterfeit ; a fair -seeming pernicious foolishness. 

But that which I now esteem to be true wisdom, if I 
could but attain unto it, is not to be acquired in so easy a 
manner. When I first began to desire and seek after this 
wisdom, I set out with the assurance, that it was to be found 
in the holy Scriptures, and no where else, these alone being 
able to make us wise unto salvation. I therefore consider- 
ed myself engaged to make them my study : and as the 
whole was given by inspiration from God, and was all de- 
clared to be profirable for some pvirpose or other, according 
to the various ends for which the Holy Spirit designed 
therein ; so I made the whole my study without picking 
and choosing. Thus I learned to look upon the Bible as 
my book of instructions, given me along with my rainisteri- 



FOREGOING NARRATIVE. 391 

nl trust by my Lord and Master ; that from thence I was to 
draw all my doctrines, instructions, and admonitions, warn- 
ings, examples, rules of duty, motives to duty, and encour- 
agement therein : and I also considered it to be the be- 
liever's charter of privileges containing exceeding great and 
precious promises, and the whole of that which God saw 
fit to reveal, concerning those unspeakable and inconceiva- 
ble good things, which he hath of his infinite mercy prepar- 
ed for them that love him. In order, therefore, faithfully 
to declare my message from the Lord Almighty to the souls 
of men, I found it indispensably needful to be well ac- 
quainted with every part, and to take the word of God my- 
self, as w^ell as propose it to others, as the lantern of my feet, 
and the light of my paths. And not only to attend to the 
letter, but also to the true meaning of the Spirit of God 
therein. This I found to be a work that required much 
time, great diligence, mature consideration, and an unbias- 
ed, unprejudiced mind. 

With this view of the matter partly obtained, and con- 
tinually more and more unfolding itself to my mind, I stu- 
died the word of God, and have now for near four years 
employed a very considerable part of my time therein, nei- 
ther rejecting, nor greatly depending upon the assistance of 
interpreters. I all along sincerely desired to know the 
truth, and for that end read the Scriptures, not as the word 
of man, but as the word of God. And though there have 
been seasons of remissness, when other employments and 
studies too much interfered with this main business ; and 
though at first I was very far from an unbiased mind ; being 
blindly and obstinately prejudiced against those doctrines, 
which I now believe to be the true gospel of Jesus Christ ; 
yet within that space I have read the Bible several times over, 
in every part, with the strictest attention I was capable of. 
There are very few passages which relate to doctrine, that I 
have not repeatedly and diligently examined, comparing one 
with another, with all the care and consideration I could ; 
and I seldom ever ceased meditating on any portion of 
Scripture, until I had attained to some satisfying conclusion 
concerning its true meaning, and agreement with other 
Scriptures. T may truly say I have filled reams of paper 
with religious discussions, with sermons, expositions and let- 
ters, in all which I ransacked the Bible, to bring as much 
scripture evidence for my direction as possible. For these 
last two years I have scarce opened a book except upon 



392 OBSERVATIONS ON THE ^, ■ — 

religious subjects, and from morning till night, nearly every 
day, all this while, my thoughts incessantly have been em- 
ployed in meditation upon the great truths of the gospel. 
Every difficulty and objection, (and difficulties and objec- 
tions both from my own meditations, and in the course of 
my reading, continually crowded upon my mind ;) sent me 
to the word of God, and increased my care and attention 
in examining and weighing every text of Scripture, respect- 
ing the point In question, before I exchanged my old opin- 
ion for a new one. 

Thus I may truly say, I have sought in the word of 
God, (that field in which alone this precious treasure lies 
hid ;) for wisdom, for the saving knowledge of divine things, 
as for silver, and searched for her, as for hidden treasures. 
And though I am sensible, compared with many, with whom 
I have personal acquaintance, and still more, whose works 
I read, my knowledge of the Scriptures is superficial, the 
knowledge of a child, of a mere novice in the school of 
Christ; yet, I trust that, as far as relates to the leading 
truths of the gospel, according to the promise, I am brought 
to understand the fear of the Lord, and have found the 
knowledge of God. And permit me, beloved reader, to 
put thee in remembrance, that. until thou hast with some 
good measure of this diligence, studied the whole word of 
God, thou runnest very great hazards in passing judgment 
upon the men and doctrines ; be cautious in what thou 
doest ; let these men quite alone, until thou hast imitated 
the conduct of the noble Bereans ; and hast thoroughly, 
and with unbiassed mind, examined and meditated upon the 
whole word of God, to see whether the things they believe, 
and teach be so or no. Lest otherwise it should come to 
pass, (as probably it will,) that in opposing and condemning 
them, thou shouldst be found to fight against God. And 
O ! that the Lord would hear and grant my request, and by 
his Holy Spirit powerfully incline the hearts of all who 
read these sheets, according to their leisure, station in life, 
obligations, and opportunities, thus attentively to read their 
bibles ; not as the word of man, but as the word of God 
himself, speaking from heaven, and unto them, and con- 
cerning the everlasting interest of their precious, and im- 
mortal souls. Be the adviser what he will, despised, and 
deserving to be despised for a Methodist, the advice is un- 
doubtedly good : advice I shall have no occasion to repent 
having thus given you, at the solemn hour of death and 



FOREGOING NARRATIVE. 393 

the awful day of judgment ; advice^ which, at those ap- 
proaching seasons, none of you will repent having follow- 
ed ; though it should divert you from more amusing, and 
at this day more reputable studies, or engross that time, 
that you have been accustomed to devote to more pleasura- 
ble and fashionable employments ; but which neglected, 
will be an additional sting in every conscierice, through all 
the countless ages of eternity. 

And O ! that they to whom the chief Shepherd h?ith 
committed the care of precious souls, and at whose hands 
he will assuredly require every one theit perishes through 
their default, would take in good part this expression of the 
very affectionate desire of my soul both in behalf of them, 
and their flocks, in dropping these hints concerning their 
peculiar obligations, to devote much of their time to the at- 
tentive, unbiased study of the word of God, that infinitely 
best, but often least studied of all book's ! What avails it 
that the ministers of the everlasting gospel should be learn- 
ed classical scholars, profound philosophers, metaphysicians, 
and mathematicians, expert logicians, or adorned with the 
knowledge of the politer sciences ; if they are unacquaint- 
ed, or but superficially acquainted with the sacred Scrip- 
tures ? These other branches of literature may amuse and 
entertain them, may procure them preferment, reputation, 
respect and favour ; but it is the knowledge of the Bible, 
which alone can enable them in such a manner to attend to 
themselves, and to their doctrine, aijd shall issue in the ever- 
lasting salvation of their own souls, and the souls committed 
to their care. Far be it from me to presume to lay down 
my opinions as the standard of doctrine, or a rule for the 
faith, and preaching of my brethren in this sacred ministry. 
But the more obscure I am, the less objection there can 
reasonably be against my just hinting to them ; that if any 
one should find this subject manifest itself to his conscience, 
and make him sensible, that verily he hath been faulty in 
this matter, and hath been attending to other employments, 
and studying other books more than the word of God ; then 
possibly he may be mistaken in his sentiments concerning 
the doctrine of the gospel, and being mistaken himself, may 
be misleading others, to the endangering of their immortal 
souls ; for he cannot be certain, but that, should he employ 
some years in this single study (which its importance well 
deserves,) he may find the bible a very different book thai\ 
he expected^ 



394 OBSERVATIONS ON THE 

V. I would observe the influence which prayer appears 
to have liad in effecting this change. 

I am aware that the world, though called Christian, is 
come to such a pass, that the very mention of this subject 
in many companies is accounted ill manners, or even re- 
ceived with ridicule ; and that being known to live a life of 
prayer and communion with God, is alone sufficient to de- 
nominate any person a Methodist. However, it is scarce 
needful to say, how full the word of God is of precepts, ia- 
struction, exhortations, invitations, promises and examples 
to this effect ; he never reads his Bible, who knows not 
this ; nor can any man, under any pretence, make a jest of 
this great duty and privilege of a believer^ w^ithout pouring 
contempt upon the holy Scriptures, and insulting the bright- 
est characters therein proposed to us as examples, not ex- 
cepting the Lord Jesus himself. Let men therefore under 
the profession of Christianity, be as irreligious and profane 
as they please ; I shall not be ashamed to speak upon so un- 
fashionable a topic ; for if the word of God be true, he 
never knew any thing as he ought to know, never believed, 
never repented, never performed one duty aright in his life, 
who hath not sought all his w^isdom, knowledge, faith, re- 
pentance, and sufficiency for obedience, from God, by fer- 
vent, instant, and persevering prayer. Time w^as, even 
since I had souls committed to my care, that I lived in the 
neglect of this duty, and so without God in the world ; but 
since, through his forbearance and mercy, I have been in 
earnest about the salvation of my own soul and their's, I 
have not been left to do so. However, it is not my intent 
to speak any further on this subject, than relates to the mat- 
ter on hand. 

The word of God promises the Holy Spirit to them that 
ask him ; he is the Spirit of truth, leads into all truth, teach- 
es all things, and searches and reveals the deep things of 
God. The leading promise to the church is, (Isaiah liv, 
13.) " That all her children shall be taught of the Lord.'' 
(John vi. 44, 45.) Referring thereto, Christ hath declared, 
that none can come unto him, except he be drawn of the 
Father, and taught of God. And St. Paul adds, (1 Gor. ii. 
14.) *' But the natural man receivetli not the things of the 
Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, neither can 
he know them ; because they are spiritually discerned." 
The natural man is explained in Jude, by not having the 
Spirit, which is evidently the Apostle's meaning in this 



FOREGOING NARRATIVE. S95 

passage : for in the preceding verse he declares, that he 
preached the gospel, not " in words, which man's wisdom 
teacheth, hut which the Holy Ghost teacheth, comparing 
spiritual things with spiritual. '^ On these grounds I con- 
cluded that man's natural understanding could not spiritual- 
ly, or profitably receive the knowledge of revealed myste- 
ries, unless it be enlightened by the Holy Spirit. I learned 
also, that our eyes may be blinded by Satan, the god and 
Prince of this world ; and our understandings closed, and a 
veil upon our hearts, when we read the word of God, in 
which case the letter of the Scriptures, without the Spirit, 
only killeth. Hence the need of our understandings being 
opened, to understand the Scriptures ; (for want of which 
the plainest discourses of our Lord, to his Disciples con- 
cerning his sufferings, death and resurrection, v/ere hid from 
them and they understood them not ;) and of the veil being 
taken from our hearts ; for want of which the Jews in read- 
ing the Old Testament cannot understand the plainest decla- 
rations of Moses, and the Prophets, concerning their promis- 
ed Saviour. I was taught also that true wisdom was the 
gift of God, and to be asked of him, by every one, who 
would be wise unto salvation ; that " the secret of the Lord 
is with them that fear him ; and that those who receive not 
the love of the truth, that they might be saved, are given 
over to a strong delusion to believe a lie ; that they might 
all be damned, who believed not the truth, but had pleasure 
in unrighteousness." (2 Thes. v. 10. 12.) 

On these grounds, and depending upon the promise, and 
invitations so plentifully interspersed through the Scrip- 
tures ; when I began to inquire after the truth, I began also 
to cry unto the Lord for his guidance therein ; and as my 
mind became more and more engaged, and my difficulties, 
in extricating myself from the labyrinths of controversy in- 
creased, I became more and more earnest, and constant, and 
particular in making my request known unto God. My 
constant prayer to the Lord was, to be delivered from pride, 
and prejudice, blindness of heart, contempt of the truth, 
obstinacy, enthusiasm, ignorance, and error. That the Lord 
would give me wisdom and knowledge, guide me to the 
truth as it is in Jesus, open my understanding, take away 
the veil from my heart, and make known unto me the way 
of salvation, which is revealed to sinners in his holy word. 
Thus waiting upon the Lord, according to his own appoint- 
ment, depending upon, and pleading his promises from day 



396 OBSERVATIONS ON THE 

to day, I was led from one thing to another, until my view 
of religious truth was totally changed. This 1 most firmly 
believe to have been by the promised teaching of the Spirit 
of truth, powerfully enlightening my mind, opening the 
Scriptures, and, by dispelling the clouds of error and preju- 
dices, enabling me to receive the truth therein contained. 

But though I am not ashamed of declaring my desire of 
living a life of prayer, and communion with God ; yet I 
Jiave no intention in speaking thus publicly on such a sub- 
ject, but to advance his glory, and forward the salvation of 
souls. As in his presence I declare, that I have prayed over 
many of the most interesting passages of Scripture, chap- 
ter by chapter, and often verse by verse, with the most 
anxious ap{>rehensions of rejecting, or mistaking the truth, 
or embracing falsehood ; and with the most earnest desire 
of knowing what that doctrine was, which Jesus and his 
apostles taught. In the sight of God I am sensible I have 
abundant cause to be humbled, and ashamed of my fre- 
quent remissness in, and the continual defilements of my 
prayers ; but as surely as I believe his promise to the faith- 
ful, as surely as I believe him to be a God that heareth 
prayer ; so surely do I believe that flesh and blood hath 
not revealed to me the doctrines I now preach, but God 
himself by his Holy Spirit. 

Reader, whoever thou art, if thy conscience testif}^, that 
thou hast hitherto lived in the neglect of this important du- 
ty, or in the formal, lifeless, and unmeaning performance of 
it with thy lips, whilst thy heart hath been disengaged and 
thy thoughts allowedly wandering to the ends of the earth ; 
if thou hast not been accustomed by fervent prayer to seek 
wisdom from God by his teaching Spirit ; if thou kuowest 
not what it is to exercise faith upon the promises pointed 
out to thee, nor to plead them in prayer to a promise keep- 
ing God ; if all thy knowledge of divine things hath been 
acquired by leaning to thy own understanding ; if in read- 
ing the Scriptures thou hast looked more to learned critics, 
commentators, and expositors, than to the illuminating Spirit 
of God sought in humlile prayer, to open thy understanding, 
to take the veil from thine heart, and to give thee that wis- 
dom, which is from above ; then be as sure as the word of 
God is true, and we are concerned in it, that thou art in the 
wrong, the light that is in thee is darkness, and thou know- 
eth nothing yet as thou oughtest to know. May the Lord 
,effectually incline thine heart to take a contrary course, and 



FOREGOING NARRATIVE. 397 

to seek wisdom, where alone it can be found, from the 
Lord the Father of Lights, and the giver of every good 
and perfect gift, who hath invited thee to ask, that it may 
be given thee ! 

VL I would observe that there is nothing in this Narra- 
tive, which can reasonably be condemned as enthusiasm. 

It is allowed that there is such a thing as enthusiasm ; 
that it is a frequent attendant on religious zeal ; that in some 
of its operations it is a grievous evil, (I speak of the faulty en- 
thusiasm ; ) in all, attended with many inconveniences ; and 
that it ought very carefully to be guarded against by every 
religious professor, and zealous preacher. It would also be 
in vain to pretend that the late revivals of religion, which 
indiscriminately have loeen stigmatized with the name of 
Methodism, have been, in opinion and practice, entirely 
free from enthusiasm. What revivals of religion ever were 
free from such scandals ? Where the Lord sows his good 
seed, there the enemy will be sure to scatter his tares. It 
must be confessed, that some of the most eminent instru- 
ments in this work, whose names, when prejudice shall 
vanish, will be handed down with honour, as burning and 
shining lights to the latest periods of the church, have by 
the greatness of their zeal through human frailty, been be- 
trayed into sentiments, expressions, and deportment, in 
some instances justly to be censured as enthusiastical ; of 
which their enemies have not failed sufficiently to avail 
themselves. But whatever indiscretions and mistakes par- 
ticular persons, who have preached these doctrines may 
have fallen into, this doth not, in the judgment of candid 
and impartial persons, in the least affect the general cause, 
or prove the doctrine erroneous. We would not contend 
for the credit of individuals, or the interests of a party ; 
but for the doctrines of God's word, and of the established 
t!hurch of England. These will continue true and impor- 
tant, though many of those who have zealously, and success- 
fully preached them, should have justly encouraged th^ 
charge of enthusiasm. All that I would intimate is this ; 
* that a man may be led to the belief of those doctrines, 
which are branded as Method istical, in a way of sober, 
rational inquiry ; and zealously preach them without being 
an enthusiast. 

It would be very well if some of those, who so readily 
accuse whole bodies of apparently religious persons of en- 
thusiasm, would favour us with their determinate definition 



398 OBSERVATIONS ON THE 

of an enthusiast. In its original meaning the word has a very 
favourable sense, and implies that by a divine influence upon 
the soulj a man is filled with an ardour and a warmth of 
zeal in the cause he is engaged in. Now it is good to be 
zealously affected always in a good thing, and if our ardour 
of soul be from the Spirit of God, according to the revealed 
will of God, and for the glory of God, it is the noblest, most 
desirable, most heavenly, and most beneficial exertion of 
the human mind. In every thing but religion, an ardour, 
described by the term enthusiasm, is allowed and com- 
mended : a poetical, a military, a patriotic enthusiasm, 
even when they carry men beyond the strict bounds of 
cold reasonings and exact prudence, fail not to meet with 
admirers. Our zeal may be fervent in every thing without 
censure, save when we are zealous for the glory of God, 
and the salvation of immortal souls. But there is an en- 
thusiasm of this sort, which forms the highest elevation, and 
the noblest effort of the human soul. Such an enthusiasm 
animated the apostle Paul, in all his self-denying labours 
and sufferings, and filled, (under the guidance of the Holy 
Ghost,) his writings, with such ardent zeal for the honour of 
his dear Saviour, and affection for the souls of men ; such 
an enthusiasm, he expresses, when he says, (2 Cor. v. 13, 
14.) " Whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God, or 
whether we be sober, it is for our cause ; for the love of 
Christ constraineth us." Of such an enthusiasm as this I 
wish I were far more guilty. But on the other hand there 
is danger of a counterfeit, pernicious enthusiasm, and about 
that we are now inquiring. Now I apprehend, that in or- 
der to constitute this culpable enthusiasm, some one or 
more of the following things must appear ; either the ardour 
of the soul which is excited, must proceed from a heated 
imagination, or from a delusion of Satan, instead of being 
produced by a divine influence ; or the cause, in which this 
ardour is employed, must be the cause of self and error, in- 
stead of the cause of God and truth ; or it must exert itself 
in unjustifiable measures and practices. But if our ardour 
of mind be warranted by the word of God, if it do not tend 
to the dishonour of God ; and if it be confined in its exer- 
cise to the rules and precepts of the word of God, how in- 
tense soever it may be, I can see no cause to censure it ; un- 
less men can be too zealous for the glory of God, and the 
salvation of souls. 

But whatever be the distinguishing criterion of enthusi- 



FOREGOmG NARRATIVE. 399 

asm, I suppose it will be difficult to fix a charge of it upon 
any thing, for which I plead in this Narrative. I never 
was taught any thing by impulses, impressions, visions, 
dreams, or revelations ; except so far as the work of the 
Spirit, in enlightening the understanding for the reception 
of those truths contained in the Holy Scriptures, is some- 
times styled revelation. Other revelation I never expected 
or experienced, nor ever taught others to expect. Not but 
that the Lord is sovereign, and may do what he will with 
his own; and, if he pleases may, and I suppose some- 
times does, go out of the ordinary course, for the con- 
version of a sinner^ or the guidance of a perplexed, or the 
comfort of a distressed soul ; but I never took one step in 
dependence on any such extraordinary interpositions, nor 
encouraged any person to do so. And surely it will not be 
called enthusiasm, by any but avowed infidels, to believe 
God's word to be the rule of truth, and his promises to be 
faithful, and in this belief to seek for the knowledge of the 
doctrines of the Gospel, in the manner related. In this 
way I have been taught no new truths, but as I believe, 
have been shown the meaning, use, tendency, con- 
sistency, harmony, wisdom, and glory of those truths 
which are contained in the sacred volume, but which before 
through pride and ignorance, I perverted, neglected, revil- 
ed, and counted foolishness. Nor do I make any pretences 
to infallibility ; God hath not, I trust, left me so unstable, 
as to float about in the uncertain stream of opinion, and to 
be tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine by the 
sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lay in 
weight to deceive. As to the grand doctrines of the gos- 
pel, which I have endeavoured to mark out as necessary to 
salvation, they are neither so uncertain, nor so difficult, as 
men would persuade us ; their uncertainty and difficulty 
arise wholly from our pride, prejudice, love of sin, and inat- 
tentive ignorance of our own hearts. There is really much 
difficulty in bringing vain man to cease from leaning to his 
own understanding ; and in prevailing with him to trust in 
the Lord with all his heart, and to be willing, in the humble 
posture of a little child, to be taught of God. Notliing but 
a deep conviction of guilt, a fear of wrath, and a sense of 
our lost condition by nature and practice, can bring our 
minds into this submissive frame ; but this being clfected, 
the difficulty is over, and the way of salvation is so plain, 
ih'dt the way-faring men, though fools, shall not err tlicrein. 



400 dBSERVATIONS ON THE 

As to the other doctrines, which I believe myself, though 
they seem plain enough to me, I desire not to proselyte oth- 
ers to them, but am willing to leave them as matters, in 
which fallible men may differ without danger. And as to 
my sufficiency for the faithful discharge of my ministry ta 
God's glory, and the salvation of souls, he will not, I trust, 
deceive my expectations, which are grounded on his pro- 
mises ; for the rest I mistake daily, and find myself in con- 
tinual danger of mixing my own imaginations with his di- 
vine truths, and following my own spirit instead of his. 
Whatever I preach truly, or do wisely, to God be the glory, 
for I am not sufficient of myself to think a good thought ; 
whatever I speak falsely, or do foolishly, to me be the 
shame, for it is the natural fruit of my own deceitful heart. 
If this be enthusiasm, it is an enthusiasm w^arranted not only 
by the word of God, as I have endeavoured to prove, but by 
the whole liturgy of our church. We all at ordination pro- 
fess to be moved by the Holy Ghost to take the ministerial 
office upon us, and assuredly we cannot be moved by the 
Holy Ghost, if we have not the Holy Ghost, nor may ex- 
pect his help and guidance. We agree to pray, that the 
Lord would lead into the v/ay of truth all such as have err- 
ed and are deceived ; that he would illuminate all Bishops, 
Priests, and Deacons with true knowledge and understand- 
ing of his holy word ; that he would cleanse our hearts by 
the inspiration of his Holy Spirit ; that be would grant us 
true repentance and his Holy Spirit ; and much more to 
this effect ; and I am persuaded, that such a confidence as I 
have expressed, cannot be censured as enthusiasm, without 
directly including our church establishment and continual 
public worship in the same charge. 

Vn. Lastly, I would observe that our opposers, and des- 
pisers will seldom give us the hearing. With all their pre- 
tensions to candour, reasoning and free inquiry, they accuse 
and condemn us without so much as knowing, with any 
tolerable degree of accuracy, what our sentiments are ; al- 
though they ase furnished with such plentiful means of in- 
formation, in those numerous publications, which are now ^ 
extant upon these subjects. 

Having imbibed strong prejudices against us, they frame 
so contemptible an opinion of our understandings and our 
wTitings, that they will not bestow so much pains, or afford 
so much regard, as to peruse our books ; — and to call an 
author a Methodist, is with many people a sufficient reason 



FOREGOING NARRATIVE. 401 

why they should not read his works. Hence it comes to 
pass, that for want of information our doctrines are griev- 
ously misrepresented ; and in general the attacks made 
upon us, though they make our persons odious and despised, 
do not in the least affect the argument in debate. What 
most of our adversaries know of our opinions, are only 
scattered fragments picked up by hearsay, wherein neither 
the connexion, consistency, tendency, nor application of 
these opinions are preserved ; and therefore no wonder 
that we are vilified, and reproached with things to which 
we are utter strangers, or which we abominate and protest 
against from Sabbath to Sabbath, and against which we neg- 
lect not to fill our writings with reasonings, warnings, and 
cautions. 

For my own part I freely acknowledge, that my strongest 
objections against this scheme of doctrine arose wholly from 
misapprehension, and mistake. Not having read their 
books, my notions of the doctrines of the Methodists were 
received from vulgar report, and from their enemies ; 
whilst my own creative imagination put the construction 
upon, and drew the consequences from them ; so that when 
I preached against them, I was as one fighting with my own 
shadow ; and in speaking evil of those things, that I knew 
not, I only betrayed my own ignorance and pride. No bet- 
ter founded are the lamentable out-cries, which at this day 
are made against us and our principles, as if we were en- 
deavouring to banish reason, argument, sober mindedness, 
and morality out of the world ; and in their stead to sub- 
stitute a parcel of whimsical vagaries, which are without 
foundation in reason, or Scripture, and have no influence, or 
rather a pernicious influence on our conduct and conversa- 
tion. When such a declamation is ended, (for one would 
Hot interrupt it,) ask the declaimer what a Methodist is ? 
He can scarce give you an answer ; inquire about their doc- 
trines, he doth not understand them; their writings, he 
never hath read them ! 

Reader, if thou desirest to know what our opinions are, 
and what reason there is for these heavy charges ; read our 
books ; but read them with attention, and aim at impartiali- 
ty ; compare them with the word of God, and with the 
liturgy, articles and homilies of the church of England ; 
and if thou hast leisure and opportunity, with the works of 
our first reformers. Nor do we desire thee to renounce 
thy reason, but only to make this reasonable concession ; 

34* 



402 OBSERVATIONS ON THE 

that where thy reason would determine one way, but God 
hath expressly determined another way, thou wouldst allow 
him to understand his own mysteries better than thou dost ; 
and that therefore thou oughtest, by faith, exercised upon 
the veracity of God, to receive those matters implicitly, and 
without reasoning, which God hath revealed, and which thy 
reason feels to be far above out of its reach, and therefore 
out of its providence. Whenever, on such inquiry, thou dis- 
coverest us to be mistaken, there dissent from us^ yea, blame 
us as far as meekness and candour will permit ; but do not 
condemn us in the gross : do not assert our whole scheme 
of doctrine to be enthusiastical and groundless, thoudi some 
of our writers should be found to have advanced some 
questionable opinion. This were tlie way to drive all truth 
and certainty out of the world ; for what book can be men- 
tioned, the Bible excepted, wherein there i& nothing ad- 
vanced, either erroneous, or questionable ? 

And be assured it is no argument of a sincere desire to 
know the truth, to read only one side of the question, and 
then clamorously to adopt every childish cavil, every vague 
report, every scandalous falsehood ; and industriously to 
propagate them, as if these aftbrded a sufficient confutation 
of all the arguments, authorities, and scripture testimonies, 
wherewith we support our sentiments. Observe ; that 
though some professors have been proved enthusiasts, and 
others detected to be hypocrites, this does not prove that 
WT are all enthusiasts and hypocrites. Such rash judgments 
hurt not us, but those that pass them. 

For myself, I liere publicly profess, that I will to the end 
of my days acknowledge it, as the greatest obligation th&t 
any person can confer upon me ; it in the spirit of meek- 
ness, he will point out to me any error or enthusiastical 
delusion, into which I have fallen, and by sufficient argu- 
ments convince me of it. I trust, that my earnest desire 
to discover the truth, as it is in Jesus, has not abated in its 
influence, and that I retain the same disinterested resolutioa 
to embrace, and adhere to it with which I set owt. Stjll 
am I solicitously fearful of being betrayed by my warmth of 
spirit^and by the deceitfidness of my heart, into erroneous 
opinioris. But it is not clamour and reproach, or objections 
and arguments brought against sentiments I detest, or con- 
sequences I allow not, and do not see to be consequent from 
my doctrines ; it is not such reasoning as sets one divine 
attfi)Hite at variance with another, and makes one part of 



FOREGOING NARRATIVE. 403 

the Bible contradict another, or exalts the human under- 
standing upon the tribunal, and arraigns and condemns re- 
vealed mysteries at her presumptuous bar ; I say, such a 
procedure will have no weight with me, or with any, who 
ever knew the grace of God in truth. 

And now, beloved reader, let me conclude, with leaving 
it upon thy conscience to search for the truth of the gospel 
in the study of God's word, accompanied by prayer, as thou 
wouldst search for hid treasure. I give thee this counsel, 
as expecting to meet thee at the day of judgment, that our 
meeting may be with joy, and not with grief; may the Lord 
incline thee to follow it with that solemn season full in 
view ! Time, how short ! eternity, how long ! life, how pre- 
carious and vanishing ! death, how certain ! the pursuits 
and employments of this present life, how vain, unsatisfy- 
ing, trifling, and vexatious ! God's favour and eternal life, 
how unspeakably precious ! his wrath, the never quenched 
fire, and the never-dying worm, how dreadful ! Oh trifle 
not away thy span of life, in heaping up riches, which 
shortly must be left for ever, and which profit not in the day 
of wrath ; in such pleasures and amusements, as will issue 
in eternal torments ; or in seeking that glory, which shall 
be swallowed up in everlasting infamy. Agree but with me 
in this ; that it is good to redeem thy precious time, to la- 
bour for the meat that endureth unto everlasting life, and to 
attend principally to the one thing needful ; take but thy 
iijeasure of truth as well as duty from the word of God : be 
willing to be taught of God, meditate on his word day and 
night ; let it be the light of thy feet, and the lantern of thy 
paths ; and in studying it, lean not to thy own understand- 
ing, trust not implicitly to expositors and commentators, but 
ask wisdom and teaching of God. And be not a Felix, 
saying, to thy serious apprehensions about thy soul : " Go 
thy way at this time, when I have a convenient season I 
will call for thee ;" lest death and judgment come before 
that season ; be not an Agrippa, an almost christian ; but 
seek to be altogether such as the primitive christians were. 
I say agree but with me in these reasonable requests, and 
we shall at length agree in all things ; in many in this 
world ; in all, when we hoar the Son of God address us in 
these rejoicing words, ^* Come, ye blessed of my father, 
inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation 
of the world." May the Lord vouchsafe unto the writer, 
an(jl <o every reader of this book, that wisdom which is 



404 OBSERVATIONS, &C» 

from above ; that teaching of his Holy Spirit, which guides 
into the ways of peace ; that faith which justifies ; that 
peace of God which passeth understanding ; and that mea- 
sure of sanctifying and strengthening grace, which shall en- 
able us to hold on, and hold out unto the end, always 
abounding in the work of the Lord, as knowing that our la- 
bour shall not be in vain in the Lord. 



MORNING PRAYER 



FOR A FAMILY. 



Almighty and everlasting God, we thy unworthy crea.^ 
tares desire to bless and thank thee, for thy gracious protec- 
tion, and the refreshment of sleep during the past night ; 
and the renewed gift of life and a measure of health this 
morning. — We would gratefully acknowledge likewise the 
conveniences of our dwelling and temporal provision ; the 
comfort of kind friends and domestic peace, and all the 
security and tranquillity which we enjoy in this favoured 
country. We confess, O Lord, that we are unworthy of the 
least of these thy mercies : and we beseech thee, enable u$ 
to shew our unfeigned gratitude, by alacrity in every part 
of thy service, and a proper use of all thy benefits. 

But we are bound especially to bless and praise thy holy 
name, O most gracious Father, for the salvation provided 
for us in thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Without this in- 
estimable benefit, no temporal peace or prosperity could 
have eventually profited us. By thy righteous sentence we 
are doomed to die. Our present joys and sorrows, cares 
and pursuits, must soon vanish like the dreams of the past 
night ; we shall shortly open our eyes amidst the important 
realities of the eternal world. And, Oh ! if thou shouldest, 
in that unchanging state, deal with us in strict justice ac- 
cording to our deserts ; we could no more avoid final con- 
demnation, than we can escape the stroke of death. 

But, blessed be thy name, O Lord, our reprieves from 
the grave may now be improved as opportunities of seeking 
deliverance from the wrath to come, and of securing ai4 
incorruptible and eternal inheritance. Enable us therefore, 
we humbly pray thee, to regard with solemn attention thy 
message of reconciliation, through the mediation of Christ, 
and by faith in his atoning blood. Enlighten our mind to 
a clear perception of tlie nature, glory, -.ind inestimable 



406 KORNING PfiAYER. 

value of thy great salvation ^ and fill us with an admiring: 
sense of thy condescending and compassionate love to lost 
sinners, in this stupendous method of shewing them mercy, 
and giving them eternal felicity. Here may we see the 
harmonious display of thy justice and grace, thy holy ab- 
horrence of iniquity, and thy tender love to condemned 
transgressors. Help us, we humbly beseech thee, to dis- 
cover, in some measure, that manifold wisdom, and all 
those glories, which fill the angelic hosts with admiring 
love, that we may learn on earth the worship of heaven, 
and here lisp our feeble praises " to him who loved us, and 
washed us from our sins in his own blood.'' Oh, enable us 
to give such diligence in making our calling and election 
sure, that we may always be confident ; knowing that when 
we shall be absent from the body, we shall be present with 
thee in glory. And if any of us have hitherto neglected 
the one thing needful, resting in a form of godliness, or in 
any way deceiving ourselves ; may we be stirred up without 
delay to seek first thy kingdom and thy righteousness, and 
to subordinate all other pursuits to this grand concern. 

Teach every one of us, O merciful God, to serve thee in 
our different employments ; doing all in the name of our 
Lord Jesus Christ, and using our possessions, or improving 
our talents, as those who duly consider how soon it may be 
said, " Give an account of thy stewardship, for thou mayest 
no longer be steward.'' Enable us, we intreat thee, so to 
act at all times and in all things, that we may joyfully an- 
ticipate the summons, and humbly hope to be received by 
the Saviour with that welcome, " Well done, good and 
faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." 
Grant us, O thou Fountain of life, such consolations in com- 
munion with thee, as may render us superior to the frow^ns 
and smiles of the world, and fix our affections on things 
above. 

Teach us also to profit by all thy rebukes and chastise- 
ments ; that every painful feeling may serve to humble us, 
to wean us from earthly things, to embitter sin, to endear 
the love of our suffering Redeemer, to soften our hearts in- 
to compassion towards the afflicted, and to bow our wills 
into submission to thine appointments. And as thou, O 
glorious Lord of all, art pleased to permit us to call thee our 
heavenly Father ; grant, we intreat thee, that the lively ex- 
ercise of all filial affection, by the sacred influences of the SpL 
rit of adoption, may fully testify that we are indeed the chil- 



MORNING PRAYER. 407 

dren and heirs of God. Oh, let it be the ardent des^ire of our- 
inmost souls, that thy name should be hallowed, thy king- 
dom established, and thy will done on earth, as it is by 
all the inhabitants of heaven. 

We pray that thy blessed gospel may be effectually 
preached to all the numerous and populous nations, which 
now sit in Pagan darkness, or under Mahometan delusion. 
May plans be formed in wisdom, and executed with zeal, for 
the accomplishment of this great design. O raise up, qualify, 
and send forth under thy special protection, proper instru- 
ments for this arduous, but honourable service. Pour out 
thy Spirit from on high upon the nations ; that mountains 
may flow down at thy presence ; and that difficulties, now 
deemed insuperable, may be effectually removed. Oh, 
prepare the way for such extensive displays of thy glorious 
grace, by purifying the whole visible church, from all su- 
perstition, false doctrine, and unchristian practice ; by 
uniting believers in holy love and harmony ; and by ren- 
dering all the pastors of thy flock, wise, disinterested, hum- 
ble, faithful, zealous, and laborious. Stop the fatal progress 
of infidelity and apostacy from Christ, which mark this de- 
generate age and nation ; and raise up able champions for 
thy truth, who may contend earnestly and effectually for the 
faith once delivered to the saints. 

Bless the places of public education ; and grant that men 
may continually be sent forth from them, qualified for these 
and other important services. Endue with wisdom, animate 
with zeal, and arm with patience, such persons as, amidst 
difficulties and disappointments, are endeavouring to pro- 
mote the welfare of mankind, and to open the way to the 
spread of thy gospel : raise them up many helpers, and at 
length crown their efforts with complete success. — Teach, 
O Lord, all true Christians, to act consistently in their vari- 
ous circumstances and trials ; and enable them to adorn 
thy gospel and rejoice in thy salvation : and bless their 
cliildren also, that they may serve thee in their days, an4 
transmit thy truth to future generations. 

Oh, vouchsafe thy special grace to all our dear relatives 
and friends, whatever else thou maycst see good to with- 
liold from them. Bestow thy blessing on all those whom 
thou hast placed in authority over us ; and honour thorn 
as thy instruments, in promoting tlie best interest of this 
nation. O thou God of peace, be pleased to terminate the 
ravages of war^ and extend thy compassionate regard to all, 



408 MORN*rNG PRAYER. 

who in this or any other way, are exposed to those compli- 
cated miseries, from which we are mercifully exempted. 

Enable us now, we beseech thee, to enter on our sever;! 
employments, in submission and obedience to thy will, dnii 
dependence on thy grace. May we be preserved from the 
snares of the world, and defended against the asaults of Sp 
tan ; may we watch over our hearts, govern our passions, 
and bridle our tongues ; as under the inspection of thine all • 
seeing eye ; and be helped in all things to glorify thy namr 
through Jesus Christ, thy beloved Son, and our Mediator 
and Redeemer. — Amen. 



THE END. 




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